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COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK
PUBLICATION NUMBER TWO OF THE
ERNEST KEMPTON ADAMS FUND FOR PHYSICAL RESEARCH
ESTABLISHED DBOBMBEB 17tli 1904
THE THEORY OF ELECTRONS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO THE PHENOMENA
OF LIGHT AND RADIANT HEAT
A COURSE OF LECTURES DELIVERED IN COLUMBLi
UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, IN MARCH AND APRIL 1906
BY
H. A. LORENTZ
PEOFESSOB IN THE UNIVEBSITY OF LEIDEN
LECTUKKB IN MATHEMATICAI. PHYSIOS IN OOtUMBIA UNIVBKBITY FOB 1905-1906
NEW YOEK
THE COLUMBIA UNIVEESITY PKESS
THE MACMILLAN COMPANY, Agents
LONDON: MACMILLAN CO., Ltd.
1909
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OP NEW YORK
PUBLICATION NUMBER TWO OF THE
ERNEST KEMPTON ADA.M8 FUND FOR PHYSICAL RESEARCH
ESTABLISHED DECEMBER 17th, 1904
THE THEOKY OF ELECTRONS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO THE PHENOMENA
OF LIGHT AND EADIANT HEAT
A COURSE OF LECTURES DELIVERED IN COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, IN MARCH AND APRIL, 1906
BY
H. A. LORENTZ
PROFESSOR IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIDEN
LECTUKER IN MA.TIIEUATICAL PHYSICS IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FOR 1905-1906
NEW YORK
THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY^ PEESS
THE MACMILLAN CO., Agents
LONDON: MACMILLAN & CO., Ltd.
1909
Oq the seventeenth day of December, nineteen hundred and
four, Edward Dean Adams, of New York, established in Cohimbia
University "The Ernest Kempton Adams Fund for Physical
Research" as a memorial to his son, Ernest Kempton Adams,
who received the degrees of Electrical Engineering in 1897 and
Master of Arts in 1898, and who devoted his life to scientific re-
search. The income of this fund is, by the terms of the deed of
gift, to be devoted to the maintenance of a research fellowship and
to the publication and distribution of the results of scientific re-
search on the part of the fellow. A generous interpretation of
the terms of the deed on the part of Mr. Adams and of the Trus-
tees of the University has made it possible to issue and distribute
a limited number of copies of the following lectures as a publi-
cation of the Ernest Kempton Adams Fund :
B. G. TEUBNERS SAMMLUNG VON LEHRBUCHERN
AUF DEM GEBIETB DER
MATHEMATISCHEN WISSENSCHAFTEN
MIT BINSCHLUSS IHRER ANWENDUNGEN.
BAND XXIX.
THE THEORY OE ELECTRONS
AND ITS APPLICATIONS TO THE PHENOMENA
OF LIGHT AND EADIANT HEAT
A COURSE OF LECTURES DELIVERED IN COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY, NEW YORK, IN MARCH AND APRIL 1906
BY
H. A. LpRENTZ
PEOFESSOK IN THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIDEN
LECTURER IN MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS IN COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY FOR 1905-1906
LEIPZIG: B. G. TEUBNER
1909
LONDON : DAVID NUTT, 57-59 long acre - WILLIAMS & NORGATE, w. c. u Henrietta street
NEW YORK; G. E, STECHERT & Co., 129-133 west 20™ street
T)
AIL EIGHTS EBSBEVED.
PRINTED BY E.G.TBUBNBE, LEIPZIG.
PREFACE.
The publication of these lectures, which I delivered in Columbia
University in the spring of 1906, has been unduly delayed, chiefly
on account of my wish to give some further development to the sub-
ject, so as to present it in a connected and fairly complete form;
for this reason I have not refrained from making numerous additions.
Nevertheless there are several highly interesting questions, more or
less belonging to the theory of electrons, which I could but slightly
touch upon. I could no more than allude in a note to Voigt's
Treatise on magneto-optical phenomena, and neither Planck's views
on radiation, nor Einstein's principle of relativity have received an
adequate treatment.
In one other respect this book wiU, I fear, be found very deficient.
No space could be spared for a discussion of the different ways in
which the fundamental principles may be established, so that, for in-
stance, there was no opportunity to mention the important share that
has been taken in the development of the theory by Larmor and
Wiechert.
It is with great pleasure that I express my thanks to Professor
A. P. Wills for his kindness in reading part of the proofs, and to
the publisher for the care he has bestowed on my work.
Leiden, January 1909.
H. A. Lorentz.
CONTENTS.
Chapter
I. General principles. Theory of free electrons. 1
11. Emission and absorption of heat . . . . 68
m. Theory of the Zeeman-effect 98
IV. Propagation of light in a body composed of molecules. Theory of the
inverse Zeeman-eflFect 132
V. Optical phenomena in moving bodies . . 168
Notes . .231
Index 330
CHAPTER I.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
Tlie theory of electrons, on which I shall have the honor to
lecture before you, already forms so vast a subject, that it will be
impossible for me to treat it quite completely. Even if I confine
myself to a general review of this youngest branch of the science
of electricity, to its more important applications in the domain
of light and radiant heat, and to the discussion of some of the
difficulties that still remain, I shall have to express myself as con-
cisely as possible, and to use to the best advantage the time at our
disposal.
In this, as in every other chapter of mathematical physics, we
may distinguish on the one hand the general ideas and hypotheses
of a physical nature involved, and on the other the array of
mathematical formulae and developments by which these ideas and
hypotheses are expressed and worked out. I shall try to throw a
clear light on the former part of the subject, leaving the latter part
somewhat in the background and omitting all lengthy calculations,
which indeed may better be presented in a book than in a lecture.^)
1. As to its physical basis, the theory of electrons is an off-
spring of the great theory of electricity to which the names of
Faraday and Maxwell wiU. be for ever attached.
You all know this theory of Maxwell, which we may call the
general theory of the electromagnetic field, and in which we con-
stantly have in view the state of the matter or the medium by which
the field is occupied. While speaking of this state, I must immediately
call your attention to the curious fact that, although we never lose
sight of it, we need by no means go far in attempting to form an
image of it and, in fact, we cannot say much about it. It is true
that we may represent to ourselves internal stresses existing in the
1) In this volume sucli calculations as I have only briefly indicated in my
lectures are given at full length in the appendix at the end.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 1
2 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
medium surrounding an electrified body or a magnet, that we may
think of electricity as of some substance or fluid, free to move in
a conductor and bound to positions of equilibrium in a dielectric,
and that we may also conceive a magnetic field as the seat of
certain invisible motions, rotations for example around the lines of
force. All this has been done by many physicists and Maxwell
himself has set the example. Yet, it must not be considered as
really necessary; we can develop the theory to a large extent and
elucidate a great number of phenomena, without entering upon
speculations of this kind. Indeed, on account of the difficulties into
which they lead us, there has of late years been a tendency to avoid
them altogether and to establish the theory on a few assumptions
of a more general nature.
The first of these is, that in an electric field there is a certain
state of things which gives rise to a force acting on an electrified
body and which may therefore be symbolically represented by the
force acting on such a body per unit of charge. This is what we
call the electric force, the symbol for a state in the medium about
whose nature we shall not venture any further statement. The second
assumption relates to a magnetic field. Without thinking of those
hidden rotations of which I have just spoken, we can define this by
the so called magnetic force, i. e. the force acting on a pole of unit
strength.
After having introduced these two fundamental quantities, we
try to express their mutual connexions by a set of equations which
are then to be applied to a large variety of phenomena. The mathe-
matical relations have thus come to take a very prominent place,
so that Hertz even went so far as to say that, after all, the theory
of Maxwell is best defined as the system of Maxwell's equations.
We shall not use these formulae in the rather complicated form
in which they can be found in Maxwell's treatise, but in the clearer
and more condensed form that has been given them by Heaviside
and Hertz. In order to simplify matters as much as possible, I shall
further introduce units ^) of such a kind that we get rid of the larger
part of such factors as 43r and 1/4 ;w, by which the formulae were
originally encumbered. As you well know, it was Heaviside who
most strongly advocated the banishing of these superfluous factors and
it will be well, I think, to follow his advice. Our unit of electricity
will therefore be Y^x times smaller than the usual electrostatic unit.
1) The units and the notation of these lectures (with the exception of the
letters serving to indicate vectors) have also been used in my articles on
Maxwell's Theory and the Theory of Electrons, in the „Enoyklopadie der
naathematischen Wissenschaften", Vol. V, 13 and 14.
MATHEMATICAL NOTATION. 3
This choice having been made, we have at the same time fixed for
every case the number by which the electric force is to be represented.
As to the magnetic force, we continue to understand by it the force
acting on a north pole of unit strength; the latter however is like-
wise y^Tt times smaller than the unit commonly used.
2. Before passing on to the electromagnetic equations, it will be
necessary to say a few words about the choice of the axes of coor-
dinates and about our mathematical notation. In the first place, we
shall always represent a line by s, a surface by (3 and a space by S,
and we shall write ds, ds, dS respectively for an element of a line,
a surface, or a space. In the case of a surface, we shall often have
to consider the normal to it; this will be denoted by n. It is always
to be drawn towards a definite side and we shall agree to draw it
towards the outside, if we have to do with a closed surface.
The normal may be used for indicating the direction of a
rotation in the surface. We shall say that the direction of a rotation
in a plane and that of a normal to the plane correspond to each
other, if an ordinary or right-handed screw turned in the direction
of the rotation advances in that of the normal. This being agreed
upon, we may add that the axes of coordinates wiU be chosen in
such a manner that OZ corresponds to a rotation of 90" from OX
towards OY.
We shall further find it convenient to use a simple kind of
vector analysis and to distinguish vectors and scalar quantities by
different sorts of letters. Conforming to general usage, I shall denote
scalars by ordinary Latin or Greek letters. As to the vectors, I have,
in some former publications, represented them by German letters.
On the present occasion however, it seems to me that Latin letters,
either capital or small ones, of the so called Clarendon type, e. g.
A, P, C etc. are to be preferred. I shall denote by A^ the component
of a vector A in the direction /*, by A^, A^^, A. its components parallel
to the axes of coordinates, by A^ the component in the direction of
a line s and finally by A„ that along the normal to a surface.
The magnitude of a vector A will be represented by [ A | . For
its square however we shall simply write A^.
Of the notions that have been introduced into vector analysis,
I must recall to your minds those of the sum and of the difference
of vectors, and those of the scalar product and the vector product of
two vectors A and B. The first of these „products", for which we
shall use the symbol
(A • B),
is the scalar quantity defined by the formula
(A . B) = 1 A I I B I cos (A, B) = A^B, + A^B^ + A,B,.
1*
4 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
The vector product, for which we shall write
[A-B],
is a vector perpendicular to the plane through A and B, whose
direction corresponds to a rotation by less than 180" from the direc-
tion of A towards that of B, and whose magnitude is given by the
area of the parallelogram described with A and B as sides. Its
components are
[A B], = A^B, - A^B^, [A B]^ = A,B, - A,B,,
[A.B1 = A,B^-A^B,.
In many cases we have to consider a scalar quantity qo or a
vector A which is given at every point of a certain space. If g? is a
continuous function of the coordinates, we can introduce the vector
having for its components
dq) d<f df
dx' dy' dz
This can easily be shown to be perpendicular to the surface
(p = const.
and we may call it the gradient of tp, which, in our formulae, we
shall shorten to „grad qp".
A space at every point of which a vector A has a definite
direction and a definite magnitude may be called a vector field, and
the lines which at every point indicate the direction of A may be
spoken of as vector- or direction-lines. In such a vector field, if
A^, Ay, A^ are continuous functions of the coordinates, we can intro-
duce for every point a certain scalar quantity and a certain new
vector, both depending on the way in which A changes from point
to point, and both having the property of being independent of the
choice of the axes of coordinates. The scalar quantity is called the
(Uver(jence of A and defined by the formula
div A = -„-- + -^- -f -^^ •
ox dy OS
The vector is called the rotation or the curl of A; its com-
ponents are
aA, _d_ky 2A^ _ 3A^ ?Ay _ ^
dy dz' dz dx > dx dy '
and it will be represented by the symbol „rot A".
If the divergence of a vector is at all points, its distribution
over space is said to be solenoidal. On the other hand, we shall
speak of an irrotational distribution, if at all points we have
rot A = 0.
FUNDAMENTAL EQUATIONS FOR THE ETHER. 5
In order to complete our list of notations, I have only to add
that the symbol A is an abbreviation for
and that not only scalars but also vectors may be differentiated with
dx
3A
respect to the coordinates or the time. For example, ^ means a
vector whose components are
a_A^_ 3 Ay aA^
dx ' Bx ' dx '
SA
and -^ has a similar meaning. A differentiation with respect to the
time t will be often represented by a dot, a repeated differentiation
of the same kind by two dots, etc.
3. We are now prepared to vrrite down the fundamental equa-
tions for the electromagnetic field in the form which they take for
the ether. We shall denote by d the electric force, the same symbol
serving for the dielectric displacement, because in the ether this has
the same direction and, on account of the choice of our units, the
same numerical magnitude as the electric force. We shall further
represent by h the magnetic force and by c a constant depending on
the properties of the ether. A third vector is the current C, which
now consists only of the displacement current of Maxwell. It exists
wherever the dielectric displacement d is a function of the time, and
is given by the formula
C = d. (1)
In the form of differential equations, the formulae of the electro-
magnetic field may now be written as follows:
div d = 0, (2)
div h = 0, (3)
roth = -^c = yd, (4)
rot d = - -^ h. (5)
The third equation, conjointly with the second, determines the
magnetic field that is produced by a given distribution of the
current C. As to the last equation, it expresses the law according
to which electric forces are called into play in a system with a
variable magnetic field, i. e. the law of what is ordinarily called
electromagnetic induction. The formulae (1), (4) and (5) are vector
equations and may each be replaced by three scalar equations relating
to the separate axes of coordinates.
6 I. GENERAL PBUSrCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
Thus (1) is equivalent to
and (4) to
•^^"""27' '^ dt> ^^~ dt '
dy dz c dt '
The state of things that is represented by our fundamental
equations consists, generally speaking, in a propagation with a velo-
city c. Indeed, of the six quantities d^, d^, d,, h^, h^, h,, five may
be eliminated 1), and we then find for the remaining one ^ an equation
of the form
A.-i.|? = 0. (6)
This is the typical differential equation for a disturbance of the
state of equilibrium, travelling onvrards with the speed c.
Though all the solutions of our equations have this general
character, yet there are a very large variety of them. The simplest
corresponds to a system of polarized plane waves. For waves of this
kind, we may have for example
i^^ = a cos n(t--~y h^ = a cos n(t-^j, (7)
all other components of d and h being 0.
I need not point out to you that really, in the state represented
by these formulae, the values of d^, and h., which for a certain value
of t exist at a point with the coordinate x, will after a lapse of
time dt be found in a point whose coordinate is a; + cSt. The
constant a is the amplitude and n is the frequency, i. e. the number
of vibrations in a time 2?!;. If n is high enough, we have to do
with a beam of plane polarized light, in which, as you know already,
the electric and the magnetic vibrations are perpendicular to the ray
as well as to each other.
Similar, though perhaps much more complicated formulae may
serve to represent the propagation of Hertzian waves or the radiation
which, as a rule, goes forth from any electromagnetic system that is
not in a steady state. If we add the proper boundary conditions,
such phenomena as the diffraction of light by narrow openings or
its scattering by small obstacles may likewise be made to fall under
our system of equations.
The formulae for the ether constitute the part of electromagnetic
theory that is most firmly established. Though perhaps the way in
which they are deduced will be changed in future years, it is
1) See Note 1 (Appendix).
GENERAL EQUATIONS OF THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD. 7
hardly conceivable tliat the equations themselves virill have to he
altered. It is only vrhen we come to consider the phenomena in
ponderable bodies, that we are led into uncertainties and doubts.
4. There is one way of treating these phenomena that is compa-
ratively safe and, for many purposes, very satisfactory. In following
it, we simply start from certain relations that may be considered as
expressing, in a condensed form, the more important results of electro-
magnetic experiments. We have now to fix our attention on foiir
vectors, the electric force E, the magnetic force H, the current of
electricity C and the magnetic induction B. These are connected by
the following fundamental equations:
div C = 0, (8)
div B = 0, (9)
rotH=4c, (10)
rotE = -iB, (11)
presenting the same form as the formulae we have used for the ether.
In the present case however, we have to add the relation between
E and C on the one hand, and that between H and B on the other.
Confining ourselves to isotropic bodies, we can often describe the
phenomena with sufficient accuracy by writing for the dielectric dis-
placement
D = aE, (12)
a vector equation which expresses that the displacement has the same
direction as the electric force and is proportional to it. The current
in this case is again Maxwell's displacement current
C = D. : f (13)
In conducting bodies on the other hand, we have to do with a
current of conduction, given by
J = (jE, (14)
where ^ is a new constant. This vector is the only current and
therefore identical to what we have called C, if the body has only
the properties of a conductor. In some cases however, one has been
led to consider bodies endowed with the properties of both conductors
and dielectrics. If, in a substance of this kind, an electric force is
supposed to produce a dielectric displacement as well as a current
of conduction, we may apply at the same time (12) and (14), writing
for the total current
C = D + J = £E + 0E. (15)
8 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
Finally, the simplest assumption we can make as to the relation
between the magnetic force and the magnetic induction is expressed
by the formula
B = fxH, (16)
in which fi. is a new constant.
5. Though the equations (12), (14) and (16) are useful for the
treatment of many problems, they cannot be said to be applicable to
all cases. Moreover, even if they were so, this general theory, in
which we express the peculiar properties of different ponderable
bodies by simply ascribing to each of them particular values of the
dielectric constant b, the conductivity <S and the magnetic permeabi-
lity ft, can no longer be considered as satisfactory, when we wish to
obtain a deeper insight into the nature of the phenomena. If we
want to understand the way in which electric and magnetic properties
depend on the temperature, the density, the chemical constitution or
the crystalline state of substances, we cannot be satisfied with simply
introducing for each substance these coefficients, whose values are
to be determined by experiment; we shall be obliged to have recourse
to some hypothesis about the mechanism that is at the bottom of
the phenomena.
It is by this necessity, that one has been led to the conception
of electrons, i. e. of extremely small particles, charged with electricity,
which are present in immense numbers in all ponderable bodies, and
by whose distribution and motions we endeavor to explain all electric
and optical phenomena that are not confined to the free ether. My
task will be to treat some of these phenomena in detail, but I may
at once say that, according to our modern views, the electrons in
a conducting body, or at least a certain part of them, are supposed
to be in a free state, so that they can obey an electric force by
which the positive particles are driven in one, and the negative
electrons in the opposite direction. In the case of a non-conducting
substance, on the contrary, we shall assume that the electrons are
bound to certain positions of equilibrium. If, in a metallic wire, the
electrons of one kind, say the negative ones, are travelling in one
direction, and perhaps those of the opposite kind in the opposite
direction, we have to do with a current of conduction, such as may
lead to a state in which a body connected to one end of the wire
has an excess of either positive or negative electrons. This excess,
the charge of the body as a whole, will, in the state of equilibrium
and if the body consists of a conducting substance, be found in a
very thin layer at its surface.
In a ponderable dielectric there can likewise be a motion of the
ELECTRONS. 9
electrons. Indeed, though we shall think of each of them as having
a definite position of equilibrium, we shall not suppose them to be
wholly immoYable. They can be displaced by an electric force exerted
by the ether, which we conceive to penetrate all ponderable matter,
a point to which we shall soon have to revert. Now, however, the
displacement will immediately give rise to a new force by which the
particle is pulled back towards its original position, and which we may
therefore appropriately distinguish by the name of elastic force. The
motion of the electrons in non-conducting bodies, such as glass and
sulphur, kept by the elastic force within certain bounds, together
with the change of the dielectric displacement in the ether itself,
now constitutes what Maxwell called the displacement current.
A substance in which the electrons are shifted to new positions is
said to be electrically polarized.
Again, under the influence of the elastic forces, the electrons can
vibrate about their positions of equilibrium. In doing so, and perhaps
also on account of other more irregular motions, they become the
centres of waves that travel outwards in the surrounding ether and
can be observed as light if the frequency is high enough. In this
manner we can account for the emission of light and heat. As to
the opposite phenomenon, that of absorption, this is explained by
considering the vibrations that are communicated to the electrons
by the periodic forces existing in an incident beam of light. If the
motion of the electrons thus set vibrating does not go on undisturbed,
but is converted in one way or another into the irregular agitation
which we call heat, it is clear that part of the incident energy will
be stored up in the body, in other terms that there is a certain ab-
sorption. Nor is it the absorption alone that can be accounted for
by a communication of motion to the electrons. This optical resonance,
as it may in many cases be termed, can likewise make itself felt
even if there is no resistance at all, so that the body is perfectly
transparent. In this case also, the electrons contained within the
molecules will be set in motion, and though no vibratory energy is
lost, the oscillating particles will exert an influence on the velocity
with which the vibrations are propagated through the body. By
taking account of this reaction of the electrons we are enabled to
establish an electromagnetic theory of the refrangibility of light, in
its relation to the wave-length and the state of the matter, and to
form a mental picture of the beautiful and varied phenomena of
double refraction and circular polarization.
On the other hand, the theory of the motion of electrons in
metallic bodies has been developed to a considerable extent. Though
here also much remains to be done, new questions arising as we
proceed, we can already mention the important results that have
10 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
been reached by Riecke, Drude and J. J. Thomson.^) The funda-
mental idea of the modern theory of the thermic and electric pro-
perties of metals is, that the free electrons in these bodies partake
of the heat-motion of the molecules of ordinary matter, travelling in
all directions with such velocities that the mean kinetic energy of
each of them is equal to that of a gaseous molecule at the same
temperature. If we further suppose the electrons to strike over and
over again against metallic atoms, so that they describe irregular
zigzag-lines, we can make clear to ourselves the reason that
metals are at the same time good conductors of heat and of electri-
city, and that, as a general rule, in the series of the metals, the two
conductivities change in nearly the same ratio. The larger the
number of free electrons, and the longer the time that elapses between
two successive encounters, the greater wiU be the conductivity for
heat as well as that for electricity.
6. This rapid review will suffice to show you that the theory
of electrons is to be regarded as an extension to the domain of
electricity of the molecular and atomistic theories that have proved
of so much use in many branches of physics and chemistry. Like
these, it is apt to be viewed unfavourably by some physicists, who
prefer to push their way into new and unexplored regions by follow-
ing those great highways of science which we possess in the laws
of thermodynamics, or who arrive at important and beautiful results,
simply by describing the phenomena and their mutual relations by
means of a system of suitable equations. No one can deny that
these methods have a charm of their own, and that, in following
them, we have the feeling of treading on firm ground, whereas in
the molecular theories the too adventurous physicist often runs the
risk of losing his way and of being deluded by some false prospect
of success. We must not forget, however, that these molecular hypo-
theses can boast of some results that could never have been attained
by pure thermodynamics, or by means of the equations of the electro-
magnetic field in their most general form, results that are well known
to all who have studied the kinetic theory of gases, the theories of
1) E. Rieoke, Zur Theorie des Galvanismus und der Warme, Ann. Ptys.
Chem. 66 (1898), p. 353, 545, 1199; Uber das Verhaltnis der Leitfiihigkeiten
der Metalle fiir Waxme und fiir Elektrizitat, Ann. Phys. 2 (1900), p. 835.
P. Drude, Zur Elektronentlieorie der Metalle, Ann. Phys. 1 (1900), p. 566;
3 (1900), p. 369. J. J. Thomson, Indications relatives a la constitution de la
matifere fournies par les reoherches recentes sur le passage de IMlectricit^ a
travers les gaz, Rapports du Congres de physique de 1900, Paris, 3, p. 138.
See also H. A. Lorentz, The motion of electrons in metallic bodies, Amsterdam
Proc. 1904—1905, p. 438, 588, 684.
ELECTRONS AND ETHER. 11
dilute solutions, of electrolysis and of the genesis of electric currents
by the motion of ions. Nor can the fruitfulness of these hypotheses
be denied by those who have followed the splendid researches on the
conduction of electricity through gases of J. J. Thomson^) and his
fellow workers.
7. I have now to make you acquainted with the equations
forming the foundation of the mathematical theory of electrons.
Permit me to introduce them by some preliminary remarks.
In the first place, we shall ascribe to each electron certain finite
dimensions, however small they may be, and we shall fix our attention
not only on the exterior field, but also on the interior space, in
which there is room for many elements of volume and in which the
state of things may vary from one point to another. As to this
state, we shall suppose it to be of the same kind as at outside points.
Indeed, one of the most important of our fundamental assumptions
must be that the ether not only occupies all space between molecules,
atoms or electrons, but that it pervades all these particles. We shall
add the hypothesis that, though the particles may move, the ether
alivays remains at rest. We can reconcile ourselves with this, at
first sight, somewhat startling idea, by thinking of the particles of
matter as of some local modifications in the state of the ether. These
modifications may of course very well travel onward while the volume-
elements of the medium in which they exist remain at rest.
Now, if within an electron there is ether, there can also be an
electromagnetic field, and all we have got to do is to establish a
system of equations that may be applied as well to the parts of the
ether where there is an electric charge, i. e. to the electrons, as to
those where there is none. As to the distribution of the charge, we
are free to make any assumption we like. For the sake of convenience
we shall suppose it to be distributed over a certain space, say over
the whole volume occupied by the electron, and we shall consider
the volume-density p as a continuous function of the coordinates, so
that the charged particle has no sharp boundary, but is surrounded
by a thin layer in which the density gradually sinks from the value
it has within the electron to 0. Thanks to this hypothesis of the
continuity of q, which we shall extend to all other quantities occurring
in our equations, we have never to trouble ourselves about surfaces
of discontinuity, nor to encumber the theory by separate equations
relating to these. Moreover, if we suppose the difference between
the ether within and without the electrons to be caused, at least so
1) J. J. Thomson, Conduction of electricity througli gases, Cambridge,
1903.
12 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLBS. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
far as we are concerned with it, only by the existence of the volume-
density in the interior, the equations for the external held must be
got from those for the internal one by simply putting p = 0, so that
we have only to write down one system of differential equations.
Of course, these must be obtained by a suitable modification, in
which the intluence of the charge is expressed, of the equations
(2) — (5) which we have established for the free, i. e. for the uncharged
ether. It has been found that we can attain our object by the
slightest modification imaginable, and that we can assume the following
system
div d = 9, (17)
div h = 0, (18)
roth = ic = -(ti + pv), (19)
rotd=-4h, (20)
in which the first and the third formula are the only ones that have
been altered.
In order to justify these modifications, I must in the first place
recall to your minds the general relation existing in Maxwell's
theory between the dielectric displacement across a closed surface
and the amount of charge e contained within it. It is expressed by
the equation
fd^d6 = e, (21)
in which the integral relates to the closed surface, each element d0
of it being multiplied by the component of d along the normal n,
which, as we have already said, is drawn towards the outside. Using
a well known form of speech and comparing the state of things with
one in which there would be no dielectric displacement at all, we
may say that the total quantity of electricity that has been displaced
across the surface (a quantity that has been shifted in an outward
direction being reckoned as positive), is equal to the charge e. Now,
if we apply this to an element of space dxdydz, taken at a point
where there is a volume-density p, we have
e = Qdxdydz
and, since the integral in (21) reduces to
div A • dxdy ds,
we are at once led to the formula (17).
In the second place, we must observe that a moving charge
constitutes what is called a convection current and produces the
same magnetic effects as a common current of conduction; this was
FUNDAMENTAL EQUATIONS. 13
first shown by Rowland's celebrated and well known experiment.
Now, if V is the Telocity of the charge, it is natural to write pv for
the convection current; indeed, the three components q\^, qV , q\^
represent the amounts of charge, reckoned per unit of area and unit
of time, which are carried across elements of surface perpendicular to
the axes of coordinates. On the other hand, if in the interior of an
electron there is an electromagnetic field, there will also be a
displacement current d. We are therefore led to assume as the
expression for the total current
c = d + 9V, (22)
and to use the equation (19) in order to determine the magnetic
field. Of course, this is again a vector equation. In applying it to
special problems, it is often found convenient to replace it by the
three scalar differential equations
dh, chy 1 /ad^ , ... \ dK 2h, 1 /ad^
dy 8z
e \dt T^^W' Be dx c\dt +?%j'
c\dt '^ PW'
dx dy
You see that by putting 9 = 0, in the formulae (17) and (19),
we are led back to our former equations (2) and (4).
8. There is one more equation to be added, in fact one that
is of equal importance with (17) — (20). It will have been noticed
that I have carefully abstained from saying anything about the
nature of the electric charge represented by q. Speculations on this
point, or attempts to reduce the idea of a charge to others of a
different kind, are entirely without the scope of the present theory;
we do not pretend to say more than this, that p is a quantity,
belonging to a certain point in the ether and connected with the
distribution of the dielectric displacement in the neighbourhood of
that point by the equation (17). We may say that the ether can
be the seat of a certain state, determined by the vector d which we
call the dielectric displacement, that in general this vector is solenoidally
distributed, but that there are some places which form an exception
to this rule, the divergence of d having a certain value q, different
from 0. In such a case, we speak of an electric charge and under-
stand by its density the value of div d.
As to 'the statement that the charges can move through the
ether, the medium itself remaining at rest, if reduced to its utmost
simplicity, it only means that the value of div d which at one moment
exists at a point P, will the next moment be found at another
place P'.
14 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
Yet, in order to explain electromagnetic phenomena, we are
obliged to go somewhat further. It is not quite sufficient to con-
sider Q as merely the symbol for a certain state of the ether. On
the contrary, we must invest the charges with a certain degree ot
substantiality, so far at least that we recognize the possibility of
forces acting on them and producing or modifying their motion, ihe
word „force" is here taken in the ordinary sense it has in dynamics,
and we should easily become accustomed to the idea of forces acting
on the charges, if we conceived these latter as fixed to what we are
accustomed to call matter, or as being a property of this matter.
This is the idea underlying the name of „charged particle" which
we have already used and shall occasionally use again for an electron.
We shall see later on that, in some cases at least, the fitness of the
name is somewhat questionable.
However this may be, we must certainly speak of such a thing
as the force acting on a charge, or on an electron, on charged
matter, whichever appellation you prefer. Now, in accordance with
the general principles of Maxwell's theory, we shall consider
this force as caused by the state of the ether, and even, since
this medium pervades the electrons, as exerted by the ether on all
internal points of these particles where there is a charge. If we
divide the whole electron into elements of volume, there will be a
force acting on each element and determined by the state of the
ether existing within it. We shall suppose that this force is pro-
portional to the charge of the element, so that we only want to
know the force acting per unit charge. This is what we can now
properly call the electric force. We shall represent it by f. The
formula by which it is determined, and which is the one we still
have to add to (17) — (20), is as follows:
f = cl-fl[v.h]. (23)
Like our former equations, it is got by generalizing the results of
electromagnetic experiments. The first term represents the force
acting on an electron in an electrostatic field; indeed, in this case,
the force per unit of charge must be wholly determined by the
dielectric displacement. On the other hand, the part of the force
expressed by the second term may be derived from the law according
to which an element of a wire carrying a current is acted on by a
magnetic field with a force perpendicular to itself and the lines of
force, an action, which in our units may be represented in vector
notation by
F = |[i-h],
FORCE ACTING ON UNIT CHARGE. 15
where i is tlie intensity o£ the current considered as a vector, and s
the length of the element. According to the theory of electrons,
F is made up of all the forces with which the field h acts on the
separate electrons moving in the wire. Now, simplifying the question
by the assumption of only one kind of moving electrons with equal
charges e and a common velocity V, we may write
si = iVev,
if N is the whole number of these particles in the element s. Hence
F = ^[v.h],
so that, dividing by Ne, we find for the force per unit charge
1
c
[V . h].
As an interesting and simple application of this result, I may mention
the explanation it affords of the induction current that is produced
in a wire moving across the magnetic lines of force. The two kinds
of electrons having the velocity V of the wire, are in this case driven
in opposite directions by forces which are determined by our formula.
9. After having been led in one particular case to the existence
of the force d, and in another to that of the force — [v ■ h], we now
combine the two in the way shown in the equation (23), going
beyond the direct result of experiments by the assumption that in
general the two forces exist at the same time. If, for example, an
electron were moving in a space traversed by Hertzian waves, we
could calculate the action of the field on it by means of the values
of d and h, such as they are at the point of the field occupied by
the particle.
Of course, in cases like this, in which we want to know the
force exerted by an external field, we need not distinguish the
directions and magnitudes of f at different points of the electron, at
least if there is no rotation of the particle; the velocity V will be
the same for all its points and the external field may be taken as
homogeneous on account of the smallness of the electron. If however,
for an electron having some variable motion, we are required to
calculate the force that is due to its own field, our analysis must be
pushed further. The field is now far from homogeneous, and after
having divided the particle into elements of volume, we must
determine the action of the field on each of them. Finally, if the
electron is treated as a rigid body, we shall have to calculate in the
ordinary way the resultant force and the resultant couple.
16 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
10. While I am speaking so boldly of what goes on in the
interior of an electron, as if I had been able to look into these small
particles, I fear one will feel inclined to think I had better not try-
to enter into all these details. My excuse must be that one can
scarcely refrain from doing so, if one wishes to have a perfectly
definite system of equations; moreoyer, as we shall see later on, our
experiments can really teach us something about the dimensions oi
the electrons. In the second place, it may be observed that in those
cases in which the internal state of the electrons can make itself
felt, speculations like those we have now entered upon, are at all
events interesting, be they right or wrong, whereas they are harm-
less as soon as we may consider the internal state as a matter of
little importance.
It must also be noticed that our assumptions by no means
exclude the possibility of certain distributions of charge which we
have not at first mentioned. By indefinitely diminishing' the thickness
of the transition layer in which q passes from a finite value to 0,
we can get as a limiting case that of an electron with a sharp
boundary. We can also conceive the charge to be present, not
throughout the whole extent of the particle, but only in a certain
layer at its surface, whose thickness may be made as small as we
like, so that after aU we can speak of a surface -charge. Indeed, in
some of our formulae we shall have in view this special case.
11. Since our equations form the real foundation-stones of the
structure we are going to build, it will be weU to examine them
somewhat more closely, so that we may be sure that they are con-
sistent with each other. They are easily shown to be so, provided
only the charge of an element of volume remain constant during its
motion.^) If we regard the electrons as rigid bodies, as we shall
almost always do, this of course means that q is constant at every
point of a particle. However, we might also suppose the electrons to
change their shape and volume; only, in this case, the value of q
for an element of volume ought to be considered as varying in the
inverse ratio as the magnitude of the element.
It is also important to remark that our formulae are applicable
to a system in which the charges, instead of being concentrated in
certain small particles, are spread over larger spaces in any way you
like. We may even go a step further and imagine any number of
charges with the densities q^ , q^ etc., which are capable of penetrating
each other and therefore of occupying the same part of space, and
which move, each with its own velocity. This would require us to
1) Note 2.
DETERMINATION OF THE FIELD. 17
replace the terms q and ^v in (17) and (19) by Pi + Ps H and
Qi^i + Q-i^^-i , the vectors Vj, v^, ... being the velocities of the
separate charges. An assumption of this kind, artificial though it
may seem, will be found of use in one of the problems we shall
have to examine.
12. I have now to call your attention to some of the many
beautiful results that may be derived from our fundamental equations,
in the first place to the way in which the electromagnetic field is
determined by the formulae (17)— (20), if the distribution and the
motion of the charges are supposed to be given. The possibility of
this determination is due to the fact that we can eliminate five of
the six quantities d^, d^,, d^, h^, h^^, h^, exactly as we could do, when
we treated the equations for the free ether, and to the remarkable
form in which the final equation presents itself^) We have, for
example, three equations for the components of d, which we may
combine into the vector formula
A d - i, d = grad Q + ^^Yt (P^)' (24)
and the similar condition for the magnetic force
Ah-i,h= -irot(pv). (25)
It will not be necessary to write down the six scalar equations for
the separate components; we can confine ourselves to the formulae
for d^ and h^, viz.
Ad.-if,-|| + i?^^, (26)
Ah.-ih; = -i(?te>-^). (27)
In order to express myself more clearly, it will be proper to
introduce a name for the left-hand sides of these equations. The
result of the operation A, applied to a quantity if that is a function
of the coordinates x, y, z, has been called the Laplacian of i^.
1 8^
Similarly, the result of the operation A ^ -i^ may be given the name
of the Dalembertian of the original quantity, in commemoration
of the fact that the mathematician d'Alembert was the first to
solve a partial differential equation, occurring in the theory of a
vibrating string, which contains this operation, or rather the operation
^— I 2 -„- 5, which is a special case of it. Of course, since vectors
can be differentiated with respect to time and place, we may as well
1) Note 3.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
18 I. GENERAL PRmCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
speak of tlie Dalerabertian of a vector as of that of a scalar quan-
tity. Accordingly, since, for a given distribution and motion of the
charges, the right-hand members of our last equations are known
functions of x, y, s, t, we see that the vectors d and h, as well as
each of their components, are determined by the values of their
Dalembertians. We have therefore to look into the question, what
will be the value of a quantity il) whose Dalembertian has a
given value co. This is a problem which admits a simple solution.
In the ordinary theory of the potential it is proved that a function t^
whose Laplacian has a given value a, may be found by the
formula
^ iTtJ r
where r is the distance from an element of volume dS to the point P
for which we want to calculate ip, a the value of the Laplacian
in this element, and where we have to integrate over all parts of
space in which o is different from 0.
Now, it is very remarkable that a function i^ satisfying the
equation
may be found by a calculation very like that indicated in (28)^). The
only difference is that, if we are asked to determine the value of ^
at the point P for the instant t, we must take for a the value of
this function existing in the element dS at the time t • We
shall henceforth include in square brackets quantities whose values
must be taken, not for the time t, but for the previous time t
Using this notation, we may say that the function
is a solution of the differential equation (29). It should be observed
that this also holds when cs is a vector quantity; [to] and ~dS
will then be so likewise, and the integration in (30) is to be under-
stood as the addition of an infinite number of infinitely small vectors.
For purposes of actual computation, the vector equation may again
be split up into three scalar ones, containing the components of m,
and giving us those of ^t.
1) Note 4.
POTENTIALS. 19
13. The above method of calculation might be applied to the
equations (24) and (25) or (26) and (27). Since, however, the second
members of these formulae are somewhat complicated, we prefer not
directly to determine d and h, but to calculate in the first place
certain auxiliary functions on which the electric and magnetic forces
may be made to depend, and which are called potentials. The first
is a scalar quantity, which I shall denote by (p, the second a vector
for which I shall write a.
If the potentials are subjected to the relations
and
Aa-^a = -49V, (32)
one can show^), by means of (17) — (20), that the dielectric displacement
is given by
d = a — grad (p (33)
and the magnetic force by
h = rot a. (34)
You see that the equations (31) and (32) are again of the form (29),
so that the two potentials are determined by the condition that their
Dalembertians must have the simple values — q and q\.
Therefore, on account of (30), we may write
^ = ^J\mdS. (36)
By these equations, combined with (33) and (34), our problem is
solved. They show that, in order to calculate the field, we have to
proceed as follows: Let P be the point for which we wish to
determine the potentials at the time t. We must divide the whole
surrounding space into elements of volume, any one of which is
called dS. Let it be situated at the point Q and let the distance QP
be denoted by r. In this element of space there may or may not
be a part of an electron at a certain time. We are only concerned
with the question whether it contains a charge at the time t -■
Indeed, the brackets serve to remind us that we are to understand
1) Note 5.
2*
and
20 I- GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
r
by p the density existing in dS at the particular instant t -
and by p V the product of this density and the velocity of the charge
within dS &i that same instant. These values [()] and [pv] must be
multiplied \,^ d8 and divided by r. Finally, we have to do for all
elements what we have done for the one d8 and to add all the
results. Of course there may be many elements which do not con-
tribute anything to the integrals, viz. all those which at the time
t did not contain any charge.
14. What has been said calls forth some further remarks. In
the first place, you see that the factor j-, which we have been so
anxious to get rid of, has again appeared. We cannot prevent it
from doing so, but fortunately it is now confined to a few of our
equations. In the second place, it is especially important to observe
that the values of q and q\ existing in a certain point Q at the
time t do not make themselves felt at the point P at the same
moment t — ~, but at the later time t. We may therefore really
speak of a propagation taking place with the velocity c. The parts
of (f) and a which are due to the several elements dS correspond to
states existing in these elements at times which are the more remote,
the farther these elements are situated from the point P considered.
On account of this special feature of our result, the potentials qo
and a, given by (35) and (3(3), are often called retarded potentials.
I must add that the function (30) is not the most general
solution of (29), and that for this reason the values of (33) and (34)
derived from (35) and (36) are not the only ones satisfying the
fundamental equations. We need not however speak of other solutions,
if we assume that an electromagnetic field in the ether is never pro-
duced by any other causes than the presence and motion of electrons.')
15. The case of a single electron furnishes a good example for
the application of our general formulae. Let us suppose in the first
place that the particle never has had nor will have any motion.
Then we have a = 0, and since q is the same at aU. instants, the
scalar potential is given by
cp = ^ f^dS.
The equations (33) and (34) becoming
d = — grad (p, h = 0,
we fall back on the ordinary formulae of electrostatics.
1) Note 6.
FIELD OF A MOVING ELECTRON. 21
We shall next consider an electron having (from if = — oo until
t = -\- oo) a translation with constant velocity w along a straight
line. Let P and P' he two points in such positions that the line
PP' is in the direction of the motion of the particle. It is easily
seen that, if we wish to calculate qo, a, d and h, first for the point P
and the time t, and then for the point P' and the time t -] ,
we shall have to repeat exactly the same calculations. If, for example,
dS is an element of space contributing a part to the integrals (35)
and (36) in the first problem, the corresponding integrals in the
second will contain equal parts due to an element dS' which may
be got by shifting dS in the direction of translation over a distance
equal to PP'.
It appears from this that the electron is continually surrounded
by the same field, which it may therefore be said to carry along
with it. As to the nature of this field, one can easily deduce from
(33) — (36) that, in the case of a spherical electron with a charge
symmetrically distributed around the centre, if s is the path of the
centre, the electric lines of force are curves situated in planes
passing through s, and the magnetic lines circles having s as axis.')
The field is distinguished from that of an electron without translation,
not only by the presence of the magnetic force, but also by an
alteration in the distribution of the dielectric displacement.
We shall finally take a somewhat less simple case. Let us
suppose that, from i = — oo until a certain instant t^, the electron
is at rest in a position A, and that, in a short interval of time
beginning at t^, it acquires a velocity w which remains constant in
magnitude and direction until after some time, in a short interval
ending at the instant ifg, the motion is stopped. Let B be the final
position in which the electron remains for ever afterwards.
If P is any point in the surrounding ether, we can consider two
distances l^ and l^, the first of which is the shortest of aU the lines
drawn from P to the points of the electron in the position A, and
the second the longest of all the lines joining P to the electron in
the position JB. We shall suppose the interval t^ — t^ to be so long
that ^2 + 4 X, + -; •
It will be clear that in performing the calculation of qp and a,
for the point P and for an instant previous to ti + -^, we shall get
a result wholly independent of the motion of the electron. This
motion can by no means make itself felt in P during this first
period, which will therefore be characterized by the field belonging
1) Note 7.
22 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
to the immovable electron. A similar field will exist in P after the
time t^ + -^, every influence that has been emitted by the particle
while moving, having already, in its outward progress, passed over
the point considered.
Between i^i + ^ and ^ + -^ the field at F will be due to the
moving electron. If we suppose the dimensions of the particle to be
very small in comparison with the distances \, l^, and the velocity w
to be acquired and lost in intervals of time much shorter than t^ — tx,
we may be sure that during the larger part of the interval between
tx-\- ^ and t^ + — the field at P will be what it would have been,
had a constant velocity iv existed for ever. Of course, immediately
after ^i + — and shortly before t^ + -^ it will be otherwise; then,
there will be a gradual transition from one state of things to the
other. It is clear also that these periods of transition, taken for
different points P, will not be found to coincide. If S^, S^, Sg are
parts of space at different distances from the line AB, S-^ being the
most remote and Sg the nearest, it may very well be that, at some
particular instant, S, is occupied by the field belonging to the elec-
tron while at rest in the position A, S^ by the field of the moving
electron, and Sg by the final field.
16. Thus far we have only used the equations (17) — (20).
Adding to these the formula (23) for the electric force, and supposing
the forces of any other nature which may act on the electrons to be
given, we have the means of determining, not only the field, but
also the motion of the charges. For our purpose however, it is not
necessary to enter here into special problems of this kind. We shall
concentrate our attention on one or two general theorems holding for
any system of moving electrons.
In the first place, suitable transformations of the fundamental
formulae lead to an equation expressing the law of conservation of
energy.^) If we confine ourselves to the part of the system lying
within a certain closed surface e, this equation has the form
jQ(f ^,)dS + ^J^lfiA'+hyis] + cJ[d.h]Ja = 0, (37)
which we shall now try to interpret. Since f is the force with which
the ether acts on unit charge, QfdS wiU be the force acting on the
element dS of the charge, and
(QdSf-\) = Q(f \)dS
1) Note 8.
ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC ENERGY. FLOW OF ENERGY. 23
its work per unit of time. The first integi-al in (37) is thus seen
to represent the work done by the ether on the electrons per unit
of time. Combined with the work of other forces to which the
electrons may be subjected, this term will therefore enable us to
calculate the change of the kinetic energy of the electrons.
Of course, if the ether does work on the electrons, it must lose
an equivalent amount of energy, a loss for which a supply of energy
from the part of the system outside the surface 6 may make up, or
which may be accompanied by a transfer of energy to that part.
We must therefore consider
-Ktl' + h-)rfS (38)
as the expression for the energy contained within an element of
volume of the ether, and
c/[d hlda (39)
as that for an amount of energy that is lost by the system within
the surface and gained by the surrounding ether.
The two parts into which (38) can be divided may properly be
called the electric and the magnetic energy of the ether. Reckoned
per unit of volume the former is seen to be
w, = id^ (40)
and the latter
^m = W"- (41)
These values are equivalent to those that were given long ago by
Maxwell. That the coefficients are -^ and not 2x or something of
the kind, is due to the choice of our new units and will certainly
serve to recommend them.
As to the transfer of energy represented by (39), it must
necessarily take place at the points of the surface <? itself, because
our theory leaves no room for any action at a distance. Further,
we are naturally led to suppose that the actions by which it is
brought about are such that, for each element dd, the quantity
c[d ■ h]„(i(> may be said to represent the amount of energy that is
transmitted across this particular element. In this way we come to
the conception, first formulated by Poynting'), of a mrrent or flow
of energy. It is determined by the vector product of d and h, mul-
tiplied by the constant c, so that we can write for it
s = c[d • h], (42)
1) J. H. Poynting, On the transfer of energy in the electromagnetic field,
London Trans. 176 (1884), p. 343.
24 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
the meaning being that, for any element d6, the amount of energy
by which it is traversed, is given for unit of time and unit of area
by the component S„ of the vector S along the normal to the
element.
17. It is interesting to apply the above results to the beam of
polarized light represented by our equations (7). We find for the
energy which it contains per unit of space
|(d^ + hO = a^cos^»^(i-|),
and for the flow of energy across a plane perpendicular to the axis
of X
cd„h, = CO? cos^ nit )•
y ' \ c /
The mean values of these expressions for a full period are
and
Indeed, by a weU known theorem, the mean value of cos^ n\t j
is i-
It is easily seen that the expression Ica^ may also be used for
calculating the flow of energy during any lapse of time that is very
long compared with a period.
If the beam of light is laterally limited by a cylindrical surface
whose generating lines are parallel to OX, as it may be if we
neglect diffraction phenomena, and if a normal section has the area 27,
the flow of energy across a section is given by ^ca^U. It is equal
for any two sections and must indeed be so, because the amount of
energy in the part of the beam between them remains constant.
The case of a single electron having a uniform translation like-
wise affords a good illustration of what has been said about the
flow of energy. After having determined the internal and the external
field by means of the formulae (33) — (36), we can deduce the total
electromagnetic energy from (40) and (41). I shall later on have
occasion to mention the result. For the present I shaU. only say
that, considering the course of the electric and the magnetic lines of
force, which intersect each other at right angles, we must conclude
that there is a current of energy, whose general direction is that of
the translation of the electron. This should have been expected,
since the moving electron is constantly surrounded by the same field.
The energy of this field may be said to accompany the particle in
its motion.
FLOW OP ENERGY. 25
Other examples migM likewise show us how Poynting's theorem
throws a clear light on many questions. Indeed, its importance can
hardly be overestimated, and it is now difficult to recall the state
of electromagnetic theory of some thirty years ago, when we had to
do without this beautiful theorem.
18. Before leaving this subject I will, with your permission,
call attention to the question, as to how far we can attach a definite
meaning to a flow of energy. It must, I believe, be admitted that,
as soon as we know the mutual action between two particles or ele-
ments of volume, we shall be able to make a definite statement as
to the energy given by one of them to the other. Hence, a theory
which explains things by making definite assumptions as to the
mutual action of the parts of a system, must at the same time admit
a transfer of energy, concerning whose intensity there can be no doubt.
Yet, even if this be granted, we can easily see that in general it
will not be possible to trace the paths of parts or elements of energy
in the same sense in which we can follow in their course the ultimate
particles of which matter is made up.
In order to show this, I shall understand by P a particle or an
element of volume and hj A, B, C, . . . , A', B', (7', ... a certain number
of other particles or elements, between which and P there is some
action resulting in a transfer of energy and, in accordance with what
has just been said, I shall suppose these actions to be so far known
that we can distinctly state what amount of energy is interchanged
between any two particles. Let, for example, P receive from A,B,C,...
the quantities a, b, c, . . . oi energy, and let it give to A', B', C, . . .
the quantities a, V, c, . . . , gaining for itself a certain amount p.
Then we shall have the equation
a + b + c-\----=p + a' + h' + c+---.
Now, though in our imaginary case each term in this equation would
be known, we should have no means for determining in what way
the quantities of energy contained in a, b, c, . . , say the individual
units of energy , are distributed among p, a, V, c, .... If, for
example, there are only two terms on each side of the equation,
all of the same value, so that it takes the form
« + & = «' + &',
we can neither conclude that a is the same energy as a and b' the
same as b, nor that a is identical to b, and b' to a. There would
be no means of deciding between these two views and others that
likewise suggest themselves.
For this reason, the flow of energy can, in my opinion, never
have quite the same distinct meaning as a flow of material particles,
26 I- GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
which, by our imagination at least, we can distinguish from each
other and follow in their motion. It might even be questioned
whether, in electromagnetic phenomena, the transfer of energy really
takes place in the way indicated by Poynting's law, whether, for
example, the heat developed in the wire of an incandescent lamp is
really due to energy which it receives from the surrounding medium,
as the theorem teaches us, and not to a flow of energy along the
wire itself In fact, all depends upon the hypotheses which we make
concerning the internal forces in the system, and it may very well be,
that a change in these hypotheses would materially alter our ideas
about the path along which the energy is carried from one part of
the system to another. It must be observed however that there is
no longer room for any doubt, so soon as we admit that the pheno-
mena going on in some part of the ether are entirely determined by
the electric and magnetic force existing in that part. No one will
deny that there is a flow of energy in a beam of light; therefore,
if all depends on the electric and magnetic force, there must also be
one near the surface of a wire carrying a current, because here, as
well as in the beam of light, the two forces exist at the same time
and are perpendicular to each other.
19. Results hardly less important than the equation of energy,
and of the same general character, are obtained when we consider
the resultant of all the forces exerted by the ether on the electrons
of a system. For this system we can take a ponderable body which
is in a peculiar electromagnetic state or in which electromagnetic
phenomena are going on. In our theory the ponderomotive force
exerted on a charged conductor, a magnet or a wire carrying a
current, is made up of all the forces with which the ether acts on
the electrons of the body.
Let 6 again be a closed surface, and F the resultant force on
all the electrons contained within it. Then, on account of (23), we
may write
F=J(,{d+4[v.h]}rf,S', (43)
extending the integral to all the electrons, or as we may do as well
(p being in the space between the particles), to the whole space S.
Now, by the aj)plication of the equations (17) — (20)^), this force F
may be shown to be equal to the sum of two vectors
F = F, + F„ (44)
which are determined by the equations
1) Note a.
and
STRESSES IN THE ETHER, 21
^ix = \J[ 2d.d„ - d^ COS {n, x) } d0
+ i / { 2h^h,, — h^ cos {n, x) ) d0 etc.
(45)
r, = -^J^dS. (46)
The first part of the force is represented by an integral over
the surface 6, its components, of which only one is given here, being
determined by the values of d^, dj,, d^, h^, etc. at the surface. The
second part of the force, on the contrary, presents itself as an integral
over the space S, not only over those parts of it where there is an
electric charge, but also over those where there is none.
20. In discussing the above result we must distinguish several
cases.
a) In all phenomena in which the system is in a stationary
state, the force F^, for which we may write
F,=
iS-J^dS, (47)
disappears, and the whole force F is reduced to an integral over the
surface 0. In other terms, the ponderomotive action can be regarded
as the sum of certain infinitely small parts, each of which belongs
to one of the surface-elements da and depends on the state existing
at that element. A very natural way of interpreting this is to
speak of each of these parts as of a stress in the ether, acting on
the element considered.
The stress depends on the orientation of the element. If this is
determined by the normal n, and if, using a common notation, we
write X^, Y^, Z^ for the components of the force per unit area,
exerted by the part of the medium on the positive side of the sur-
face on the part lying on the negative side, we shall have
-^„ = i { 2 d,d„ - d^ cos in, a;) H- J. { 2 h,h„ - h^ cos {n, x) } etc. (48)
From these formulae we can easily deduce the components X^,
Y,, Z,, X„ etc. of the stresses acting on elements whose normal is
parallel to one of tlie axes of coordinates. We find
^. = i (d/ - d/ - tJ/) + ^- (h/ - K - ^') *^tc., (49)
X^ = Z, = d,d^ + h,h^ etc., (50)
precisely the values of the stresses by which Maxwell long ago
accounted for the ponderomotive forces observed in electric and
magnetic fields.
28
I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
This method of calculating the resultant force is often very
convenient, the more so because we can take for 6 any surface
surrounding the body for which we have to solve the pi-oblem.
b) We are led to similar conclusions if we consider a system
that is the seat of periodical phenomena, confining ourselves to the
mean value of the force taken for a complete period T. The mean
value being given by
T
\J^dt,
the last term in (44) disappears. Indeed, by (47) the time integral
of Fj is equal to the diiference of the values of
^J-
sdS
for i = and t = T, and these values are equal on account of the
periodicity of the changes.
Hence, in this case also, the resultant force is reduced to surface-
integrals, or, as we may say, to stresses in the ether.
It can easily be shown that the mean value of F (and of
periodically changing quantities in general) during a lapse of time
that is very much longer than a period T, is equal to the mean
value during a period, even though the interval considered is not
exactly a multiple of T.
21. An interesting example is furnished by the pressure of
radiation. Let (Fig. 1) AB he a. plane disk, receiving in a normal
direction a beam of light L, which, taking
OX in the direction shown in the diagram,
we can represent by our formulae (7). Let
us take for the surface of the flat cylin-
drical box CDEF, whose plane sides lie
before and behind the disk and are parallel
to it. Then, if the plate is perfectly opaque,
we have only to consider the stress on CD.
Moreover, if the disk is supposed to be
perfectly black, so that there is no reflected
beam, there is only the electromagnetic field represented by the
equations (7). Hence, since a normal to the plane CD, drawn
towards the outside of the box CDEF, has a direction opposite
to that of OX, the force acting on the absorbing body in the direc-
tion of OX per unit area is given by
^
' J
iJC
/- ^
X
DBF
Fig. 1.
and its mean value by
RADIATION PRESSURE. 29
Comparing this with the value of the energy and attending to the
direction of the force, we conclude that the beam of light produces
a normal pressure on the absorbing body, the intensity of the pressure
per unit of surface being numerically equal to the electromagnetic
energy which ^the beam contains per unit of volume.
The same method can be applied to a body which transmits
and reflects a certain amount of light, and to a disk on which a
beam of light falls in an oblique direction. In aU cases in which
there is no light behind the disk, the force in the direction of the
normal will be a pressure — X^ on the illuminated side, if the axis
of X is directed as stated above.
We shall apply this to a homogeneous and isotropic state of
radiation, existing in a certain space that is enclosed by perfectly
reflecting walls. By homogeneous and isotropic we mean that the
space is traversed by rays of light or heat of various directions, in
such a manner that the radiation is of equal intensity in diiferent
parts of the space and in all directions, and that all directions of d
and h are equally represented in it. It can easily be shown that in
this case there is no tangential stress on an element ds oi the wall.
As to the normal pressure, which is represented by — X^, if the
axis of X is made to coincide with the normal, we may write for it
P = 1(57+ d7- 6J) + UK + h? - K'),
where the horizontal bars are intended to indicate the mean values,
over the space considered, of the several terms. ^) But, on account
of our assumptions regarding the state of radiation,
d^ = d ^ = d^.
Each of these quantities is therefore equal to one third of their sum,
i. e. to 4-d^. Similarly
Hence, if the formulae (40) and (41) are taken into account.
In this case, the pressure on the walls per unit of surface is equal
to one third of the electromagnetic energy per unit of volume.
Later on, the problem of radiation pressure will be treated by
a different method.
1) Note 10.
30 I- GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
22. Thus far we have simplified the equation (44) by supposing
the last term to vanish. In general, however, this term may not be
omitted, and the force F cannot be accounted for by a system of
stresses acting on the surface 6.
This conclusion takes a remarkable form, if the surface 6 is
supposed to enclose no electrons at all. Of course, the total force F
must be in this case, as may be seen from the original expression (43).
Nevertheless, the force due to the stresses is not generally 0, having
the value
Fi = -F, = Ajsc?S. (51)
It is worthy of notice that this last equation is quite independent of
the theory of electrons, being a consequence of the fundamental
equations for the case Q = 0, i. e. of the equations for the free ether.
It has indeed been known for a long time.^)
In the mind of Maxwell and of many writers on the theory
there seems to have been no doubt whatever as to the real existence
of the ether stresses determined by the formulae (49) and (50).
Considered from this point of view, the equation (51) tells us that
in general the resultant force Fj of all the stresses acting on a part
of the ether will not be 0. This was first pointed out by Helm-
holtz.^) He inferred from it that the ether cannot remain at rest,
and established a system of equations by which its motion can be
determined. I shall not enter upon these, because no experiment has
ever shown us any trace of a motion of the ether in an electro-
magnetic field.
We may sum up by saying that a theory which admits the
existence of Maxwell's stresses leads to the following conclusions:
1. A portion of the ether is not in equilibrium under the stresses
acting on its surface.
2. The stresses acting on the elements of a surface which
surrounds a ponderable body will, in general, produce a resultant
force different from the force acting on the electrons of the body
according to our theory.
23. Having got thus far, we may take two different courses.
In the first place, bearing in mind that the ether is undoubtedly
widely different from all ordinary matter, we may make the assump-
tion that this medium, which is the receptacle of electromagnetic
energy and the vehicle for many and perhaps for all the forces acting
on ponderable matter, is, by its very nature, never put in motion,
1) Note 11.
2) Helmholtz, Polgerungen aus Maxwell's Theorie fiber die Bewegungen
des reinen Athers, Ann. Phys. Chem. 63 (1894), p. 135.
IMMOBILITY OF THE ETHER. 31
that it lias neither velocity nor acceleration, so that we have no
reason to speak of its mass or of forces that are applied to it.
From this point of view, the action on an electron must be con-
sidered as primarily determined by the state of the ether in the
interior of each of its elements of volume, and the equation (43) as
the direct and immediate expression for it. There is no reason at
all why the force should be due to pressures or stresses in the uni-
versal medium. If we exclude the idea of forces acting on the ether,
we cannot even speak of these stresses, because they would be forces
exerted by one part of the ether on the other.
I should add that, while thus denying the real existence of
ether stresses, we can still avail ourselves of all the mathematical
transformations by which the application of the formula (43) may
be made easier. We need not refrain from reducing the force to a
surface-integral, and for convenience's sake we may continue to apply
to the quantities occurring in this integral the name of stresses.
Only, we must be aware that they are only imaginary ones, nothing
else than auxiliary mathematical quantities.
Perhaps all this that has now been said about the absolute
immobility of the ether and the non-existence of the stresses, may
seem somewhat startling. If it is thought too much so, one may
have recourse to the other conception to which I have alluded. In
choosing this, we recognize the real existence of Maxwell's internal
forces, and we regard the ether as only approximately immovable.
Let us admit that between adjacent parts of the ether there is
an action determined by the equations (48), so that an element of
volume of the free ether experiences a force
—iidS,
and let us suppose the medium to move in such a way that it has
a momentum
Is.?^, (52)
or -^S per unit of volume. Let us further imagine that the density
of the ether is so great that only a very small velocity, too small
to be detected by any means at our disposal, is required for the
momentum (52). Then, the formula (51) which, applied to an
element of the ether, takes the form
F, = —^sdS
tells us that the assumed state of motion can really exist. This is
clear because for very small velocities the resultant force acting on
32 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
the ether contained in a fixed element of volume may be said to be
equal to the rate of change of the momentum that is found wUhin
that element.^)
On the other hand, in the case of an element dS occupied by
a charge, the formula
? = ?,--,hd8
may be interpreted as follows. The ether within the element is
subject to a force F^, due to the stresses on the surface. Of this
force, the part
\kdS
goes to produce the change of momentum of the ether, the remaining
part F being transferred to the charge.
You will readily perceive that, after all, the difference between
the two modes of view consists mainly in the diiferent interpretations
given to the same equations.
24. Whatever may be our opinion about the questions we have
now touched upon, our discussion shows the importance of the vector
—iSdS,
which has a definite direction and magnitude for every element of
volume, and of the vector
G
^^fsdS (53)
that maybe derived from it by integration. Abraham^) of Gottingen
has applied to these quantities the name of electromagnetic momentum.
We may term them so, even if we do not wish to convey the idea
that they represent a real momentum, as they would according to
the second of the two lines of thought we have just followed.
The way in which the conception of electromagnetic momentum
may be of use for the elucidation of electromagnetic phenomena
comes out most clearly if, in dealing with a system of finite dimen-
sions, as the systems in our experiments actually are, we make the
enclosing surface recede on all sides to an infinite distance. It
may be shown that the surface -integrals in (45) then become 0, so
that, if the integration is extended to all space, we shall have
f — % (54)
1) Note 12.
2) M. Abraham, Prinzipien der Dynamik des Elektrons, Ann. Phys. 10
(1903), p. 105.
RADIATION PRESSURE. 33
or in words: the force exerted by the ether on a system of electrons,
or, as we may say, on the ponderable matter containing these elec-
trons, is equal and opposite to the change per unit of time of the
electromagnetic momentum. Now, since the action tends to produce
a change equal to the force itself in the momentum (in the ordinary
sense of the word) of the ponderable matter, we see that the sum
of this momentum and the electromagnetic one will not be altered
by the actions exerted by the ether.
Before passing on to one or two applications, I must call your
attention to the intimate connexion between the momentum and the
flow of energy S. The equation (53) at once shows us that every
part of space in which there is a flow of energy contributes its part
to the vector G; hence, in order to form an idea of this vector and
of its changes, we have in the first place to fix our attention on the
radiation existing in difi^erent parts of space. If, in course of time,
the flow of energy reaches new parts of space or leaves parts in
which it was at first found, this will cause the vector G to change
from one moment to another.
It must also be kept in mind that (53) is a vector equation and
that (54) may be decomposed into three formulae giving us the
components F^, F^,, F. of the resultant force.
25. Very interesting illustrations of the preceding theory may
be taken from the phenomena of radiation pressure, to which I shall
therefore return for a moment. Let us consider, for example, a source
of light sending out its rays in a single direction, which may be brought
about by suitable arrangements, and let us suppose this radiation to
have begun at a certain instant, so that we can speak of the first
wave or of the front of the train of waves that have been emitted.
This front is a plane at right angles to the beam and advancing
with the velocity c. Hence, if U is the normal section of the beam,
the volume occupied by the radiation increases hj cZ! per unit of
time. As we have seen, the flow of energy has the direction of the
beam. In making the following calculation, we shall reason as if,
at every point, the flow were constantly equal to the mean flow S
taken for a full period. If the magnitude of this mean flow, which
relates to unit of area, is |8J, we shall flnd that of the electro-
magnetic momentum, whose direction is likewise that of the beam,
if we multiply ~2 S by the volume occupied by the light. It appears
from this that the change of G per unit of time is
I G I = - I S I £;
II g I I 7
consequently, since this vector has the direction of the rays, there
will be a force on the source of light of the same intensity and in
liorentz, Theory of electrons. 3
34 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
a direction opposite to that in whicli the rays are emitted. This
force of recoil, which, however, is extremely small, may be compared
with the reaction that would exist if the rays of light consisted of
a stream of material particles. By similar reasoning we can deter-
mine the pressure on the black disk we have formerly considered.
But, in this case, it is best to imagine the radiation of the source
to have been stopped at a certain moment, so that there is a plane
which we may call the rear of the progression of waves. It approaches
the black disk with the velocity c, and if U and | S | have the same
meaning as just now, the magnitude of the electromagnetic momentum
will diminish by
per unit of time. Consequently, there will be a normal pressure of
this intensity acting on the disk. The result agrees with what we
have deduced from the value of the stress in the ether, the quantity
I S ] being related to the amplitude a by the equation
It is easy to extend these results to a more general case. Let a
plane disk receive, from any direction we like, a beam of parallel rays,
and let one part of these be reflected, another absorbed and the
remaining part transmitted. Let the vectors S, s' and s'' be the
flows of energy per unit of area in the incident, reflected and trans-
mitted beams, S, s', s" the mean flows taken for a full period,
2, £', 2"- the normal sections of the beams. Then, if we imagine
the space occupied by the light to be limited by two fronts, one in
the reflected and one in the transmitted beam, and by a rear plane
in the incident one, all these planes travelling onward with the
velocity c, the change of electromagnetic momentum will be given
by the vector expression
and the force on the plate by
^(2;s-2;'r-2:"s").
It must here be mentioned that the radiation pressure has been ob-
served by Lebedew^) and by E. F. Nichols and HulP), and that
the theoretical predictions as to its intensity have been verified to
within one percent by the measurements of the last named physicists.
1) P. Lebedew, Untersuchungen iiber die Druckkrafte des Lichtes, Ann.
Phys. G (1901), p. 433.
2) B. F. Nichols and G. P. Hull, The pressure due to radiation,
Astrophysioal Journ. 17 (1903), p. 315; also Ann. Phys. 12 (1903), p. 225.
FIELD or MOVING ELECTRONS. 35
26. The theory of electromagnetic momentum, which we have
found of so much use in the case of beams of light that are emitted,
reflected or absorbed by a body, is also applicable to the widely
different case of a moving electron. We may therefore, without too
abrupt a transition, turn once more to some questions belonging to
what we can call the dynamics of an electron, and in which we are
concerned with the field the particle produces and the force exerted
on it by the ether. We shall in this way be led to the important
subject of the electromagnetic mass of the electrons.
To begin with, I shall say some words about the field of a
system of electrons or of charges disti-ibuted in any way, having a
constant velocity of translation «', say in the direction of the axis
of X, smaller than the speed of light c. We shall introduce axes of
coordinates moving with the system, and we shall simplify our for-
mulae by putting
""=/3. (55)
w
e
Now, we have already seen that the field is carried along by the
system. The same may be said of the potentials cp and a, which
serve to determine it, and it may easily be inferred from this^) that
the values of ^ and -^ in a fixed point of space are given by
dtp da.
ox' ox
Similarly
dt^ ~^ dx^' dr- dx'-
Thus the equation (31) takes the form
whereas (32) may be replaced by the formula
(1 - ^^) gf + ^^f + ^ = - ^9, (57)
the components a^, and a^ being both 0, as is seen directly from (36).
Comparing (56) and (57), we conclude that
so that we have only to determine the scalar potential.
This can be effected by a suitable change of independent
variables. If a new variable x' is defined by
x' = (l- p'y ''' X, (58)
1) Note 13.
3*
36 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
(56) becomes „„ „„ „„
having the well known form of Poisson's equation. Since this
equation occurs in the determination of the field for charges that
are at rest, the problem is hereby reduced to an ordinary problem
of electrostatics. Only, the value of ff in our moving system S is
connected with the potential, not of the same system when at rest,
but of a system in which all the coordinates parallel to OX have
been changed in the ratio determined by (58).^)
The result may be expressed as follows. Let 8' be a system
having no translation, and which we obtain by enlarging the dimen-
sions of 8 in the direction of X in the ratio of 1 to (1 — /3^) " .
Then, if a point with the coordinates x, y, 2 in S and a point with
the coordinates x', y, z in 8' are said to correspond to each other,
if the charges of corresponding elements of volume are supposed to
be equal, and if (f is the potential in S' , the scalar potential in the
moving system is given by
^ = (1 _ /32)- % y'. (60)
Let us now take for the moving system a single electron, to which
we shall ascribe the form of a sphere with radius jR and a uniformly
distributed surface -charge e. The corresponding system 8' is an
elongated ellipsoid of revolution, and its charge happens to be distri-
buted according to the law that holds for a conductor of the same
form. Therefore, the field of the moving spherical particle and all
the quantities belonging to it, can be found by means of the ordinary
theory of a charged ellipsoid that is given in many treatises. I shall
only mention the results obtained for the more important quantities.
The total electric energy is given by
and the magnetic energy by
As to the electromagnetic momentum, this has the direction of the
translation, as may at once be deduced from (53), because we know
already that the general direction of the flow of energy coincides
with that of the motion of the particle. The formula for the magni-
tude of the electromagnetic momentum, calculated for the first time
by Abraham, is
1) Note 14.
FORCE ON KN ELECTRON, DUE TO ITS OWN FIELD. 37
All these yalues U, T, { G | increase when the velocity is augmented.
They become injfinite for /3 = 1, i. e. when the electron reaches a
velocity equal to that of light. ^)
27. According to our fundamental assumptions, each element of
volume of an electron experiences a force due to the iield produced
by the particle itself, and the question now arises whether there will
be any resultant force acting on the electron as a whole. The con-
sideration of the electromagnetic momentum will enable us to decide
this question.
If the velocity tv is constant in magnitude and direction, as it
has been supposed to be in what precedes, the vector G will likewise
be constant and there will be no resultant force. This is very im-
portant; it shows that, if free from all external forces, an electron,
just like a material point, will move with constant velocity, notwith-
standing the presence of the surrounding ether. In all other cases
however there is an action of the medium.
It must be observed that, in the case of a variable velocity, the
above formulae for U, T and | G | do not, strictly speaking, hold.
However, if the variation of the state of motion is so slow that the
change taking place in a time — may be neglected, one may apply the
formula (63) for every moment, and use it to determine the change G
of the momentum per unit of time.^) As the result depends on the
acceleration of the electron, the force exerted by the ether is like-
wise determined by the acceleration.
Let us first take the case of a rectilinear translation with
variable velocity w. The vector G is directed along the line of
motion, and its magnitude is given by
dt aw c dp
Putting
-J^- c d§ -^''' ^^^>
we conclude that there is a force acting on the electron, opposite to
its acceleration and equal to the product of the latter and the
coefficient m.
In the second place, I shall consider an electron having a
velocity W of constant magnitude, but of varying direction. The
acceleration is then normal to the path and it is convenient to use
vector equations. Let W be the velocity, w the acceleration, and
1) Note 15. 2) See S 37.
38 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
let us take into account that in this case there is a constant i-atio
between | G | and | W [ , for which I shall write
LGJ = I G I = n"_ (65)
j w I c/3 ^ ^
We have also
G = m"\N,
and the force exerted by the ether is given by
— G = — m'^N .
It is opposite in direction to the normal acceleration W and has an
intensity equal to the product of this acceleration with the coeffi-
cient m' .
In the most general case the acceleration j will be directed
neither along the path nor normally to it. If we decompose it into
two components, the one j' in the line of motion and the other j"
at right angles to it, we shall have, for the force on the electron
due to its own electromagnetic field, in vector notation^)
— vfi\ — m"\". (66)
28. The way in which these formulae are usually interpreted
will become clear to us, if we suppose the electron to have a certain
mass «/g in the ordinary sense of the word, and to be acted on, not
only by the force that is due to its own field, but also by a force K
of any other kind. The total force being
K - m'\ - m"\",
the equation of motion, expressed in the language of vector analysis,
will be
K-m'j'-OT"j" = mo(j' + j"). (67)
Instead of this we can write
K = (nig -\- m')\' + (jwo + m")j",
from which it appears that the electron moves, as if it had tivo different
masses wig + m and m^ + m" , the first of which comes into play
when we are concerned with an acceleration in the line of motion,
and the second when we consider the normal acceleration. By
measuring the force K and the accelerations j' and j" in different
cases, we can determine both these coefficients. We shall call
them the effective masses, m^ the material mass, and m' , m" the
electromagnetic masses. In order to distinguish m' and m", we can
apply the name of longitudinal electromagnetic mass to the first, and
1) Note 16.
ELECTROMAGNETIC MASS OF AN ELECTRON. 39
that of transverse electromagnetic mass to the second of these
coefficients. ■')
From what has been said one finds the following formulae for
m' and m":
^" = i6^iW[- 2/3 + (1 + ^^) log l^], (69)
or, expanded in series,
For small velocities the two masses have the same value
»»»' = '^" = 6«t ' C^2)
whereas for larger velocities the longitudinal mass always surpasses
the transverse one. Both increase with j3, until for /3 = 1, i. e. for
a velocity equal to the speed of light, they become infinite.
If, for a moment, we confine ourselves to a rectilinear motion
of an electron, the notion of electromagnetic mass can be derived
from that of electromagnetic energy. Indeed, this latter is larger for
a moving electron than for one that is at rest. Therefore, if we are
to put the particle in motion by an external force K, we must not
only produce the ordinary kinetic energy -^m^w'^ but, in addition to
this, the part of the electromagnetic energy that is due to the velo-
city. The effect of the field will therefore be that a larger amount
of work is required than if we had to do with an ordinary material
particle mg-, it will be just the same as if the mass were larger
than niQ.
By reasoning of this kind we can also easily verify the for-
mula (68). If the velocity is changing very slowly, we may at every
instant apply the formulae (61) and (62). Since the total energy
T -1" ?7 is a function of the velocity ic, its rate of change is given by
'JI±!!>^ = 'Al±-Sll^. (73)
This must be equal to the work done per unit of time by the moving
force, or rather by the part of it that is required on account of the
1) The notion of (longitudinal) electromagnetic masa was introduced for
the first time by J. J. Thomson in his paper „0n the electric and magnetic
effects produced by the motion of electrified bodies", Phil. Mag. (5) 11 (1881),
p. 227. The result of his calculation is, however, somewhat different from that
to which one is led in the modern theory of electrons.
40 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
electromagnetic field. Consequently, dividing (73) by -w, we find the
intensity of this part, and if next we divide by w, the acceleration,
the result must be the longitudinal electromagnetic mass. If one
calculates
,__ 1 d{T+TD _ 1 d{T^TJ)
cw d§ /?c^ dp
by means of the formulae (61) and (62), one really finds exactly the
value (68).
29. A close analogy to this question of electromagnetic mass
is furnished by a simple hydrodynamical problem. A solid, per-
fectly smooth sphere, moving with the velocity W in an incom-
pressible perfect fluid which extends on all sides to infinite distance,
produces in this fluid a state of motion characterized by a kinetic
energy for which we may write
if a is a constant, depending on the radius of the ball and on the
density of the fluid. Under the influence of an external force applied
to the ball in the direction of the translation, its velocity will change
as if it had, not only its true mass m^, but besides this an apparent
mass m', whose value is given by
1 dT
w| d I w I '
a formula corresponding to the last equation of § 28.
We could have obtained the same result if we had first calculated
the momentum of the fluid. We should have found for it
G = aW,
an expression from which we can also infer that the transverse
apparent mass has the same value « as the longitudinal one.
This is shown by the equation
., |G|
m = — \ ■
[w|
30. If, in the case of the ball moving in the perfect fluid, we
were obliged to confine ourselves to experiments in which we measure
the external forces applied to the body and the accelerations produced
by them, we should be able to determine the effective mass m^ -\- m
(or m^ + m"), but it would be impossible to find the values of m^
and m (or m") separately. Now, it is very important that, in the
experimental investigation of the motion of an electron, we can go
a step farther. This is due to the fact that the electromagnetic mass
is not a constant, but increases with the velocity.
RATIO OF THE CHARGE TO THE MASS OF AN ELECTRON. 41
Suppose we can make experiments for two different known
velocities of an electron, and that by this means we can find the
ratio Tc between the effective transverse masses which come into play
in the two cases. Let ^ be the ratio between the electromagnetic
transverse masses, calculated, as can really be done, by the formula (69).
Then, distinguishing by the indices I and II the quantities relating
to the two cases, we shall have the formulae
"'o + m __ mj _
+ /f ''^y ft ^j
mn mil
and the ratio between the true mass m^ and the electromagnetic
mass m'j will be given by
»l/ _ X (fc — 1)
If the experimental ratio li differed very little from the ratio % that
is given by the formula (69), m^ would come out much smaller
than mi and we should even have to put m^ = 0, if /c were exactly
equal to %.
I have spoken here of the transverse electromagnetic mass, because
this is the one with which we are concerned in the experiments I
shall now have to mention.
31. You all know that the cathode rays and the /3-rays of
radio-active bodies are streams of negative electrons, and that Gold-
stein's canal rays and the w-rays consist of similar streams of
positively charged particles. In all these cases it has been found
possible to determine the ratio between the numerical values of the
charge of a particle and its transverse effective mass. The chief
method by which this has been achieved is based on the measure-
ment, for the same kind of rays, of the deflections from their recti-
linear course that are produced by known external electric and
magnetic forces.
The theory of the method is very simple. If, in the first place,
an electron having a charge e and an effective mass m, moves in an
electric field d, with a velocity w perpendicular to the lines of force,
ed
the acceleration is given by — ; hence, if r is the radius of curvature
of the path,
w^ e I d I
r m '
so that, if I d I and r have been measured, we can calculate the
value of
~r (74)
42 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
Let us consider in the second place an electron moving in a magnetic
iield h, and let us suppose the velocity tv to be perpendicular to the
magnetic force. Then, the field will exert on the particle a force — ^-^ ,
as is seen from the last term of (23). This force being perpendicular
to the velocity, we shall have, writing / for the radius of curvature
of the path,
M)' e4« [ h I
r cm
The determination of | h | and r' can therefore lead to a knowledge
of the expression
and, by combining this with (74), we shall be enabled to find both w
and — •
m
32. I shall not speak of the large number of determinations of
this kind that have been made by several pihysicists, and will only say
a few words relative to the important work of Kaufmann-*^) on the j3-
rays of radium. These rays appear to contain negative electrons with
widely different velocities, so that it is possible to examine the question
whether — is a function of the velocity or a constant. Kaufmann's
experiments were arranged in such a manner that the electric and
the magnetic deflection, belonging to the saine electrons, could be
measured, so that the values both of iv and of ~ could be deduced
' HI
from them. Now, it was found that, while the velocity iv ranges from
about 0,5 to more than 0,9 of the velocity of light, the value of —
diminishes considerably. If we suppose the charge to be equal for
all the negative electrons constituting the rays, this diminution of —
must be due to an increase of the mass tn. This proves that at all
events the electromagnetic mass has an appreciable influence. It must
even greatly predominate. Indeed, Kaufmann's numbers show no
trace of an influence of the material mass Wg, his ratio 7c of effective
masses for two different velocities (a ratio which is the inverse of
that of the values of -H agreeing within the limits of experimental
errors with the ratio x between the electromagnetic masses, as deduced
from Abraham's formula (69).
1) W. Kaufmann, tJber die Konstitution des Elektrons, Ann. Phya. 19
(1906), p. 487,
MASS OF A NEGATIVE ELECTRON WHOLLY ELECTROMAGNETIC. 43
Of course, we are free to believe, if we like, that there is some
small material mass attached to the electron, say equal to one
hundredth part of the electromagnetic one, but with a view to
simplicity, it will be best to admit Kaufmann's conclusion, or hypo-
thesis, if we prefer so to call it, that the negative electrons have no
material mass at all.
This is certainly one of the most important results of modern
physics, and I may therefore be allowed to dwell upon it for a short
time and to mention two other ways in which it can be expressed.
We may say that, in the case of a moving negative electron, there
is no energy of the ordinary form \mf^tv^, but merely the electro-
magnetic energy T -\- U, which may be calculated by means of the
formulae (61) and (62). For high velocities this energy is a rather
complicated function of the velocity, and it is only for velocities
very small compared with that of light, that the part of it which
depends on the motion, can be represented by the expression -l-ni'tv^,
where m' has the value given by (72). This is found by expanding
T -\- U in a, series similar to (70) and (71).
We obtain another remarkable form of our result, if in the
equation of motion (67), which for wJq = becomes
Kf If If \ff A
— m \ ~in \ =0,
we attach to the two last terms their original meaning of forces
exerted by the ether. The equation tells us that the total force
acting on the particle is always 0. An electron, for example, which
has an initial velocity in an external electromagnetic field, will move
in such a manner that the force due to the external field is exactly
counterbalanced by the force that is called forth by the electron's
own field, or, what amounts to the same thing, that the force exerted
by the resulting field is 0.
After all, by our negation of the existence of material mass, the
negative electron has lost much of its substantiality. We must make
it preserve just so much of it, that we can speak of forces acting
on its parts, and that we can consider it as maintaining its form and
magnitude. This must be regarded as an inherent property, in virtue
of which the parts of the electron cannot be torn asunder by the
electric forces acting on them (or by their mutual repulsions, as we
may say).
33. In our preceding reasoning we have admitted the equality
of the charges of all the negative electrons given off by the radium
salt that has been used in Kaufmann's experiments. We shall now
pass on to a wide generalization of this hypothesis.
4-1 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
As is well known, Faraday's law of electrolysis proves that all
monovalent electrolytic ions have exactly equal charges, and that,
if this is denoted by e, the charges of bivalent, trivalent ions etc.
are 2e, 3e etc. Thus the conception has arisen that this e, say the
charge of an ion of hydrogen, is the smallest quantity of electricity
that ever occurs in physical phenomena, an atom of electricity, as
we may call it, which can only present itself in whole numbers.
Experimental determinations by J. J. Thomson^) of the charges
carried by the ions in conducting gases, and certain speculations about
the electrons which are vibrating in a body traversed by a beam of
light, have made it highly probable that this same amount of charge e
occurs in these cases, that it is, so to say, a real natural unit of
electricity, and that all charged particles, all electrons and ions carry
one such unit or a multiple of it. The negative electrons which
constitute the |3-rays and the cathode rays are undoubtedly the
simplest of all these charged particles, and there are good reasons for
supposing their charge to be equal to one unit of electricity, i. e. to
the charge of an ion of hydrogen.
Leaving aside the case of multiple charges, and ascribing to all
electrons or ions, whether they be positive or negative, the same
amount of electricity, we can say that the masses m of different
particles are inversely proportional to the values that have been found
for — •
m
Now, for the negative electrons of the cathode rays and of the
j3-rays, this latter value is, for small velocities^)
1,8- louyi^.
For an ion of hydrogen, the corresponding number can be drawn
from the electrochemical equivalent of the gas. It is found to be
nearly 1900 times smaller than the number for the free negative
electrons. Hence, the mass of a negative electron is about the 1900'''
part of that of an atom of hydrogen.
1) See J. J. Thomson, Conduction of electricity through gases, and The
corpuscular theory of matter, London, 1907, by the same author.
2) I write it in this form in order to show that the number is 1,8 ■ 10',
if the ordinary electromagnetic units are used. It may be mentioned here that
Simon's measurements on cathode rays [Ann. Phys. Ghem. C9 (1899), p. 589]
lead to the value 1,878-10', and that Kaufmann, calculating his results by
means of Abraham's formulae, finds 1,823-10'. Later experiments on /3-rays
by Bestelmeyer [Ann. Phys. 2'2 (1907), p. 429], however, have given the
number 1,72 - 10'-
ELECTROMAGNETIC THEORY OF MATTER. 45
,? It must be noticed especially that the values of - obtained for
.-r — ~-~^_^ J- ./ „j
(different^ negative electrons are approximately equal. This lends a
strong support to the view that all negative electrons are equal to
each other. On the contrary, there are great differences between the
positive electrons, such as we find in the canal rays and the a-rays
of radio-active substances. The values of ~ belonging to these rays
are widely divergent. They are however all of the same order of
magnitude as the values holding for electrolytic ions. Consequently,
the masses of the positive electrons must be comparable with those of
chemical atoms. We can therefore imagine the free electrons to be
the product of a disintegration of atoms, of a division into a positively
and a negatively charged particle, the first having nearly the whole
mass of the atom, and the second only a very small part of it.
34. Of late the question has been much discussed, as to whether
the idea that there is no material but only electromagnetic mass, which,
in the case of negative electrons, is so strongly supported by Kauf-
mann's results, may not be extended to positive electrons and to
matter in general. On this subject of an electromagnetic theory of
matter we might observe that, if we suppose atoms to contain negative
electrons, of which one or more may be given off under certain
circumstances, as they undoubtedly are, and if the part that remains
after the loss of a negative particle is called a positive electron, then
certainly all matter may be said to be made up of electrons. But
this would be mere words. What we really want to know is,
whether the mass of the positive electron can be calculated from the
distribution of its charge in the same way as we can determine the
mass of a negative particle. This remains, I believe, an open question,
about which we shall do well to speak with some reserve.
In a more general sense, I for one should be quite willing to
adopt an electromagnetic theory of matter and of the forces between
material particles. As regards matter, many arguments point to the
conclusion that its ultimate particles always carry electric charges
and that these are not merely accessory but very essential. We
should introduce what seems to me an unnecessary dualism, if we
considered these charges and what else there may be in the particles
as wholly distinct from each other.
On the other hand, I believe every physicist feels inclined to the
view that all the forces exerted by one particle on another, all
molecular actions and gi-avity itself, are transmitted in some way by
the ether, so that the tension of a stretched rope and the elasticity
of an iron bar must find their explanation in what goes on in the
46 I- GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
ether between the molecules. Therefore, since we can hardly admit
that one and the same medium is capable of transmitting two or
more actions by wholly different mechanisms, all forces may be re-
garded as connected more or less intimately with those which we
study in electromagnetism.
For the present, however, the nature of this connexion is entirely
unknown to us and we must continue to speak of many kinds of
forces without in the least being able to account for their origin.
We shall even be obliged to subject the negative electrons to certain
forces, about whose mode of action we are in the dark. Such are, for
example, the forces by which the electrons in a ponderable dielectric
are driven back to their positions of equilibrium, and the forces that
come into play when an electron moving in a piece of metal has
its course changed by an impact against a metallic atom.
35. The universal unit of electricity of which we have spoken
can be evaluated as soon as we have formed an estimate of the
mass of the chemical atoms. This has been done fairly well in
different ways, and we shall not be far from the truth if we take
1,3 -10-^^ gramm
for the mass of an atom of hydrogen. Combining this with the
electrochemical equivalent of this element, which in our units is
— — , we find for the charge of an ion of hydrogen
cyiTt
l,3-10-2°cl/i^.
This number must also represent the charge of a negative electron.
Therefore, the value of — (for small velocities) being
1,8 lO'cl/i^,
we find
Mi = 7 • 10~^* gramm.
Now, this must be the mass given by the formula (72). Substituting
also the value of e, we get the following number for the radius
E= 1,5-10-" cm.
We may compare this with the estimates that have been formed in
the kinetic theory of gases. The distance of neighboring molecules
in the atmospheric air is probably about
and the diameter of a molecule of hydrogen may be taken to be
2-10-8 cm.
ELECTROMAGNETIC MASS OF A SYSTEM OF ELECTRONS. 47
You see that, compared with these lengths, the electron is quite
microscopical. Probably it is even much smaller than a single atom,
so that, if this contains a certain number of negative electrons, these
may be likened to spheres placed at distances from each other that
are high multiples of their diameters.
36. Before closing our discussion on the subject of electro-
magnetic mass, I must call your attention to the question as to whether,
in a system composed of a certain number of electrons, tbe electro-
magnetic mass is the sum of the electromagnetic masses of the
separate particles, or, as I shall rather put it, whether, if the system
moves with a common velocity of translation, the electromagnetic
energy, in so far as it depends on the motion, can be made up of parts,
each belonging to one electron, so that, for small velocities, it can
be represented by
This will, of course, be the case, if the electrons are so far apart that
their fields may be said not to overlap. If, however, two electrons
were brought into immediate contact, the total energy could not
be found by an addition, for the simple reason, that, being a
quadratic function of d and h, the energy due to the superposition
of two fields is not equal to the sum of the energies which would
be present in each of the two, if it existed by itself.
We have now to bethink ourselves of the extreme smallness of
the electrons. It is clear that the larger part of the electromagnetic
energy belonging to a particle will be found in a very small part of
the field lying quite near it, within a distance from the centre that
is a moderate multiple of the radiusi , Therefore, it may very well be
that a number of electrons are so widely dispersed that the effective
parts of their fields lie completely outside each other. In such a
case the system may be said to have an electromagnetic mass equal
to the sum of the masses of the individual electrons.
Yet there are important cases in which we are not warranted in
asserting this. In order to make this clear, I shall call F^ the part of
the field of an electron which lies nearest to the particle, and F^ the
more distant part, the surface of separation between the two being a
sphere whose radius is rather large in comparison with that of the
electron. Then, if the electron is taken by itself, the part E^ of the
energy contained within F^ far surpasses the energy E^ which has its
seat in F,^. Now, if we have N electrons at such distances from each
other that their fields F^ do not overlap, we shall have to add to
each other the amounts of energy E^. The quantities E.^ on the
contrary must not be simply added, for the remoter fields F^ will
certainly cover, partly at least, the same space S. If, in this space,
48 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
the dielectric displacements or the magnetic forces due to the indi-
vidual eleitrons have directions making rather small angles with each
other, all the fields F^, feeble though they are, may very well pro-
duce a resulting field of appreciable energy. We have an example of
this in the electric field of a charged conductor, and in the magnetic
field aroimd a wire carrying a current. The energy of this magnetic
field may be shown to be, in very common cases, considerably larger
than the sum of all the amounts of energy which I have called E^,
at least in as much as these depend on the motion of the electrons.
The possibility of this will be readily understood, if one thinks of
the extreme case that, at a point of the space S, all electrons produce
a magnetic force in exactly the same direction. Then, if each of these
forces has the magnitude j h | , the resultant magnetic force has the
magnitude iV | h ] , so that the magnetic energy per unit of volume
becomes \ N^ h^. This is proportional to the square of the number N
which we shall suppose to be very large. On the other hand, the
sum of the quantities E^ may be reckoned to be proportional to the
first power of N.
This digression was necessary in order to point out the connexion
between the electromagnetic mass of electrons and the phenomena of
self-induction. In these latter it is the magnetic energy due to the
overlapping of the feeble fields F^ that makes itself felt. In dealing
with effects of induction we can very well speak of the electro-
magnetic inertia of the current, or of the electromagnetic mass of the
electrons moving in it, but we must keep in mind that this mass is
very much larger than the sum of those we should associate with
the separate particles. This large value is brought about (as are all
effects of the current) by the cooperation of an immense number of
electrons of the same kind moving in the same direction."^)
37. In our treatment of the electromagnetic mass of electrons
we have started from the expression (66) for the force to which an
electron is subjected on account of its own field. However, this ex-
pression is not quite exact. It is based on the assumption that the
equation (63) may be applied to a case of non-uniform motion, and
we observed already that this may be done only if the state of motion
changes very little during the time an electromagnetic disturbance
would take to travel over a distance equal to the dimensions of the
electron. This amounts to saying that, if I is one of these dimen-
sions, and T a time during which the state of motion is sensibly
altered, the quantity
i (75)
must be very small.
1) Note 17.
RESISTANCE TO THE MOTION. 49
In reality, the force (66) is only the first term of a series in
which, compared with the preceding one, each term is of the order
of magnitude (75).
In some phenomena the next term of the series makes itself felt;
it is therefore necessary to indicate its value. By a somewhat la-
borious calculation it is found to be
67rc»
(76)
where the vector V is twice differentiated with respect to the time.
I may mention by the way that this formula holds for any distri-
bution of the electric charge e})
In many cases the new force represented by (76) may be termed
a resistance to the motion. This is seen, if we calculate the work of
the force during an interval of time extending from t = t.^ to t = t^.
The result is
Here the first term disappears if, in the case of a periodic motion,
the integration is extended to a full period; also, if at the instants t^
and t^ either the velocity or the acceleration is 0. We have an
example of the latter case in those phenomena in which an electron
strikes against a ponderable body and is thrown back by it.
Whenever the above formula reduces to the last term, the work
of the force is seen to be negative, so that the name of resistance is
then justly applied. This is also confirmed by the form our formula
takes for an electron having a simple harmonic motion. The velocity
being given by
V = bcosM^,
where w is a constant, we may write V = — w°V, and, instead of (j&),
— -a — 3-v, (77)
so that, in this particular case, the force is opposite to the velocity
and proportional to it.
The work of (77) during a full period T is
- -f 'v f^'dt = - -^ b'T. (78)
38. In all cases in which the work of the force (76) is nega-
tive, the energy of the electron (if not kept at a constant value by
1) Note 18.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
50 I- GENERAL PEINCIPLES. THEORY OP FREE ELECTRONS.
the action of some other cause) must diminish, and that of the ether
must increase. This means that there is a continous radiation from
the particle dutwards, such as cannot be said to exist when the velo-
city is constant and the electron simply carries its field along with it.
For the purpose of getting a clear idea of the radiation, it is
well to consider the field at a very large distance from the particle.
We shall see that, if the distance is large enough, the radiation field
gets, so to say, disentangled from the field we have formerly consi-
dered, which is carried along by the moving particle.
In order to determine the field at a large distance, we can avail
ourselves of the following formulae for the scalar and the vector
potential, which hold for all points whose distance from the electron
is very large compared with its dimensions:
„ t , a ^w m)
Here, the square brackets have a meaning similar to that which we
gave them in the general equations (35) and (36). If one wishes to
determine the potentials at a point P for the time t, one must first
seek the position M of the electron, which satisfies the condition
that, if it is reached at the time t^, previous to t,
3IP^c(t-Q.
The distance il/P is denoted by r, and [v] means the velocity in the
position M, V^ its component in the direction il/P.
The formulae have been deduced from (35) and (36)-, the vector
1 '- in the denominators shows, however, that the problem is not
quite so simple as might be expected at first sight. A complication
arises from the circumstance that we must not integrate over the
space occupied by the electron at tlie particular instant icliich we
have denoted hy t^. On the contrary, according to the meaning
of (35) and (3G), we must fix our attention on the diiferent points
of the electron and choose for each of them, among all its succes-
sive positions, the one 31' which is determined by the condition,
that, if it is reached at the time to,
M' P == c{t - ti) .
The time t'^ is slightly different for the different points of the electron
and therefore the space over which we have to integrate (which
contains all the points il/') cannot be said to coincide with the
space occupied by the electron at any particular instant.^)
1) Note 1!).
RADIATION FROM AN ELECTRON. 51
39. Leaving aside these rather complicated calculations, I pro-
ceed to the determination of the field at very large distances. The
formulae (33) and (34) which we must use for this purpose require
us to diiferentiate cp and a. In doing so I shall omit all terms in
which the square and the higher powers of the distance r appear in
the denominator. I shall therefore treat as a constant the factor r in
the denominators of (79), so that only V^ has to be differentiated in the
expression for qp and, if we also neglect terms in which a component
of the velocity is multiplied by one of the acceleration, only [v] in
the second formula. Performing all operations and denoting by x, y, z
the coordinates of P with respect to the point M as origin, and by j
the acceleration of the electron in the position M, I find^)
d =
47rc*r
■(-L + yJ.), etc. (80)
z
in c^r \^y r ■'= r
\y~-hf ,^t<^- (81)
The three formulae for tl can be interpreted as follows. If the acce-
leration j is decomposed into j^ in the direction of IIP and j per-
pendicular to it, the dielectric displacement in P is parallel to j and
its magnitude is given by
iiic^r
In order to see the meaning of the equations for h, we can introduce
a vector k of unit length in the direction from 31 towards P. The
components of this vector being — , — , — , we have
'.,[j-l<l-
The magnitude of h is therefore
e
equal to that of the dielectric displacement. Further, the magnetic
force is seen to be perpendicular both to the line MP and to the
dielectric displacement. Consequently there is a flow of energy along
MP. It is easily seen that this flow is directed away from the
position M of the electron, and that its intensity is given by
if d- is the angle between il/P and the acceleration j.^)
1) Note 20. 2) Note 21.
52 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OP PBEE ELECTRONS.
The result may be applied to any point of a spherical surface
described around the centre M with r as radius. The total outward
flow of energy across this sphere is given by
ISTt'c^r^ ' J ewe" ■■ ^ ^
The reason for my former assertion that, at very large distances
from the electron, the radiation field predominates over the field con-
sidered in § 26, lies in the fact that, in the latter, d and h diminish
as —J- and in the radiation field only as -;- •
We can sum up the preceding considerations by saying that an
electron does not emit energy so long as it has a uniform rectilinear
motion, but that it does as soon as its velocity changes either in
magnitude or in direction.
40. The theory of the production of Rontgen rays, first pro-
posed by Wiechert and Stokes, and worked out by J. J. Thomson^),
affords a very interesting application of our result. According to it,
these rays consist of a rapid and iiTegular succession of sharp electro-
magnetic impulses, each of which is due to the change of velocity
which an electron of the cathode rays undergoes when it impinges
against the anti-cathode. I cannot however dwell upon this subject,
having too much to say about the emission of light -vibrations with
which we shall be often concerned.
If an electron has a simple harmonic motion, the velocity is
continually changing, and, by what has been said, there must be a
continous emission of energy. It will also be clear that, at each point
of the surrounding field, the state is periodically changing, keeping
time with the electron itself, so that we shall have a radiation of
homogeneous light. Before going into some further details, I shall
first consider the total amount of energy emitted during a full period.
Let us choose the position of equilibrium as origin of coordinates
and let the vibration take place along the axis of x, the displacement
at the time t being given by
X = a cos (nt -{- p).
Then the acceleration is
— an^ cos (nt + 2'')-
1) E. Wiechert, Die Theorie der Blektrodynamik und die Rontgen'sche
Entdeckung, Abh. d. Phys.-okon. Ges. zu Konigsberg i. Pr. (1896), p. 1; Ober die
Grundlagen der Elektrodynamik, Ann. Phya. Cliem. 59 (1896),]). 283; 6. G. Stokes
On the nature of the Rontgen rays, Manoh. Memoirs 41 (1897), Mem. 15-
J. J. Thomson, A theory of the connexion between cathode and Ronto-en rays'
Phil. Mag. (5) 46 (1898), p. 172. ° '
FIELD OP A VIBRATING ELECTRON. 53
If the amplitude a is very small, the sphere of which we have npoken
in the preceding paragraph may be considered as having its centre,
not in Mj one of the positions of the electron, but in the origin 0,
and we may understand by j the acceleration of the electron at the
time t , r being the distance from 0. Therefore, on account
of (82), the flow of energy across the sphere will be per unit of time
Integrating this over a full period T we get
--/' ,, a'n'T. (S3)
Now, if the amplitude is to remain constant, the electron must be
acted on by an external force equal and opposite to the resistance (77).
The work of this force is given by (78) with the sign reversed.
Since the amplitude of the velocity is equal to the amplitude a of
the elongation, multiplied by n, the work of the force corresponds
exactly to the amount of energy (83) that is emitted.^)
41. For the sake of further examining the field produced
by an electron having a simple harmonic motion, we shall go back
to the formulae (79). Let us first only suppose that the motion
of the electron is confined to a certain very small space S, one
point of which is chosen as origin of coordinates. Let x, y, z
be the coordinates of the electron, x, y, z its velocities and x, y, z
the components of its acceleration. We shall consider all these quan-
tities as infinitely small of the first order, and neglect all terms
containing the product of any two of them. We shall further denote
by X, y, z the coordinates of the point P for which we wish to
determine the field, and by r^ its distance from the origin. Now,
if M is the position of the electron of which we have spoken in our
explanation of the equations (79), the distance il/P = r will be in-
finitely near the distance r^, and the time i^ infinitely near the time
t — ^-- The changes in the position and the velocity of the electron
in an infinitely small time being quantities of the second order, we
may therefore understand by M the position at the instant t
and by V the velocity at that time. Further:
I) Note 22.
^0
54 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
because, as is easily seen, the change in the distance between and P,
due to a shifting of the first point towards M, is equal to the change
that would take place, if remained where it was, but P were given
a displacement — x, — y, — z. The square brackets now serve to in-
dicate the values at the time if — —; they will have this meaning in
all formulae that are now to be developed.
Substituting the above value of — , and
1 = 1 + .[^'■]-
l__[Vrl ^ ' c '
c
where V^ may be considered as the component along OP, we find
for the scalar potential
HavLUg got thus far, we can omit the index o, so that r now means
the distance from the origin to a point with the coordinates x, y, z.
As regards the last term, we can use the transformation
a[x] ^ a[y] , a[z]^
/8[x] g[yj aLzj\
the last step in which will be clear, if we attend to the meaning
of -^-- etc. The symbol [x] represents the value of x at the time i — —
which we shall, for a moment, denote by H . This time f depends in
its turn on the distance r, which again is a function of the coordi-
nates X, y, 3 of the external point. Hence
aw^^a*:|^^ 1. etc.
dx dt dr dx '- -' c r '
Finally, the scalar potential becomes
^= « |i_fM_f M_f Ml. (84)
^ i7t [ r ox r ay r oe r ] ^ ■'
The expression for the vector potential is even more simple, viz.
a = -^. (85)
The radiation field, which predominates at large distances, and in
which we find the flow of energy of which we have already spoken,
is determined by the three last terms of qp and by the vector potential.
At smaller distances it is superposed on the field represented by the
first term of (p, which is the same that would surround the electron
if it were at rest.
FIELD OF A POLAlilZBD PARTICLE. 55
42. By a slight change in the circumstances of the case, we
can do away with the electrostatic field altogether. Let us suppose
the electron to perform its vibrations in the interior of an atom or a
molecule of matter, to which we shall now give the name of particle
and which occupies the small space S. If the particle as a whole
is not charged, it must contain, besides our movable electron, a
charge — e, either in the form of one or more electrons, or distri-
buted in any other manner. We shall suppose that this complementary
charge — e remains at rest, and that, if the electron e did so likewise,
in a determinate position, which we shall take as origin of coordinates,
there would be no external field at all, at least not at a distance that
is large in comparison with the dimensions of S. This being admitted,
the immovable charge — e must produce a scalar potential equal and
opposite to the first term in (84), so that, if we consider the field
of the whole particle, this term will be cancelled. Our assumption
amounts to this, that the charge — e is equivalent to a single electron — e
at the point 0, so that, if the electron + e has the coordinates x, y, z,
things will be as if we had two equal and opposite charges at a
small distance from each other. We express this by saying that the
particle is electrically polarized, and we define its electric moment by
the equation
p = 6r, (86)
where r is the vector drawn from towards the position of the
movable electron. The components of p are
Pa: = ex, p, = ey, p, = ez, (87)
and from (84) and (8b) we find the following expressions for the
potentials in the field surrounding the polarized particle
1 f 3 [PJ , ^ M , 3 [PJ 1 f88)
[P]
incr
(89)
These relations also hold in the case of a polarized particle whose
state is somewhat more complicated. Let us imagine that it contains
a certain number of electrons, any part of which may be movable.
We shall find the potentials by calculating (84) and (85) for the
separate electrons and adding the results. Using the sign 2J for this
last operation, and keeping in mind that
26 = 0, (90)
we shall again find the formulae (88) and (89), if we define the
moment of the particle by the formula
p = ^er, (91)
pz
dS,
(93)
(94)
56 I. GENERAL PKINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
or its components by
p,= 2:ex, p,, = 2;ey, p, = I^ez. (92)
It is even unnecessary that the charges should be concentrated in
separate electrons. We can as well suppose them to be continuously
distributed, but of course capable of moving or fluctuating in one
■way or another. Then the sums in the last formulae must be replaced
by integrals. We shall have
and for the components of the moment
P.-fQ^<iS, ^,j=fQrd8, p, =/(
the integration being extended over the space S occupied by the
particle. It must be noticed that on account of (90) and (93), the
vectors (91) and (!'4) are independent of the choice of the point 0.
43. The formulae (88) and (89) show that the particle is a
centre of radiation whenever the moment p is changing, and that it
emits regular vibrations if p is a periodic function of the time.
We shall suppose for example that
P, = 6cos(m^ + p), p^ = 0, p, = 0,
h, n and p being constants. Then we have
and the field is easily determined by means of (88) and (89).
I shall not write down the general formulae but only those
which hold for values of r that are very large compared with the
wave-length, and which are obtained by the omission of all terms of
They are as follows:
n^h r^ — x^ f /, r\ i
the order — r
d. =
h =0,
■ cos n
ocy
xz
cos\^n(t- ~)+p
cos \n[t
n^b
z
h. =
n^b y
r
cos m(^
corresponding to (80) and (81).^)
1) Note 23.
cos \^n(t - 'j^ + p
(95)
FUNDAMENTAL EQUATIONS FOR A MOVING SYSTEM. 57
I must add that our formulae for the field around a particle
whose state of polarization is periodically changing, agree with
those by which Hertz represented the state of the field around his
vibrator.'^)
44. We shall now pass on to certain equations that will
be of use to us when we come to speak of the influence of the
Earth's translation on optical phenomena. They relate to the electro-
magnetic phenomena in a system of bodies having a common uniform
translation, whose velocity we shall denote by W, and are derived
from our original equations by a change of variables. Indeed, it is
very natural to refer the phenomena in a moving system, not to a
system of axes of coordinates that is at rest, but to one that is fixed
to the system and shares its translation; these new coordinates will
be represented by x' , y , z . They are given by
X' = X-\NJ, y' = ij-\Hj, z' = Z-\Nj. (96)
It will also be found useful to fix our attention on the velocity U
of the charges relatively to the moving axes, so that in our funda-
mental equations we have to put
V = w + u.
Now it has been found that in those cases in which the velocity of
translation W is so small that its square W^, or rather the fraction -^,
may he neglected, the differential equations referred to the moving
axes take almost the same form as the original formulae, if, instead
of t, we introduce a new independent variable t', and if, at the same
time, the dielectric displacement and the magnetic force are replaced
by certain other vectors which we shall call d' and h'.
The variable t' is defined by the equation
t' = t-^ (w^x + v/,/ + V//1 (97)
and the vectors d' and h' by
d' = d-f-l[w.h], (98)
h' = h-i[w.d]. (99)
We can regard t' as the time reckoned from the instant
1) H. Hertz, Die Krafte elektrischer Schwingungen , behandelt naoli der
Maxwell'schen Theorie, Ann. Phya. Chem. 36 (1888), p. 1.
58 I- GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
which changes from one point to the other. This variable is there-
fore properly called the local time, in order to distinguish it from
the universal time t.
As to the vectors d' and h', the difference between them and d,
h is but small, since the fraction —~ is so. Even if we have to do
with the translation of the Earth, the value of | W j is no more than
one ten -thousandth part of the velocity of light.
Neglecting terms with the square of --- , as has already been
said, one finds the following system of transformed equations:
divd'==|l-(^),, (100)
div h' = 0, (101)
roth'= J((i' + 9U), (102)
rotd'=-^h'. (103)
The dot means a differentiation with respect to t', and the
symbols div and rot (and, in the next paragraph, grad) serve to indicate
differentiations with respect to x, y', e' in exactly the same manner
as they formerly indicated differentiation,s with respect to x, y, s.
Rot h', for example, now means a vector whose components are
0h^ 3 hi/ Shi 3 hi ShJ, 3 hi
dy dz dz dx' dx dy
You see that the formulae have nearly, but not quite, the same form
as (17) — (20), the difference consisting in the term -^— in the first
equation.-')
c
45. Starting from the new system of equations, we can now
repeat much of what has been said in connexion with the original
one. For a given distribution and motion of the charges, the field
is entirely determined, and here again the problem can be considerably
simplified by the introduction of two potentials, a scalar and a vector
one. These are given by the equations
and
where however the symbols [p] and [pu] require some explanation.
If we want to calculate- qo' and a' for a point P, for the moment at
1) Note 24.
RADIATION FROM A MOVING PARTICLE. 59
which the local time of this point has a definite value t', we must,
for each element dS situated at a distance r from F, take the values
of Q and Qti such as they are at the instant at which the local time
of the element is
c
Finally, we have the following formulae for the determination
of the field by means of the potentials^):
d' = - i a' - grad <p' + j grad (w • a'), (106)
h' = rot a'. (107)
Here again, if we compare with (33) and (34), we notice a slight
difference. In (33) there is no term corresponding to the last one
in (106).
Notwithstanding the two differences I have pointed out, there
is a large variety of cases, in which a state of things in a system
at rest has its exact analogue in the same system with a translation.
I shall give two examples that are of interest.
In the first place, the values of d' and h' produced by a jDarticle
moving with the velocity W, and having a variable electric moment,
are given by formulae similar to those we formerly found for the
radiation from a particle without a translation, und which I therefore
need not even write down.
If the moment of a particle placed at the origin of coordinates
is represented by
p, = h cos (nt'+p), p^ = 0, p, = 0, (108)
all we have to do is to replace, in (95), d, h, x, y, z, t by d', h', x, y, z , t'})
In order to show the meaning of this result, I shall consider the
field at a point situated on the positive axis of y'. It is determined by
all other components being 0. Since, neglecting terms of the second
order, we may write
d = d' - - [w h]
instead of (98), we have
d. = d;-^h;,
from which it appears that the dielectric displacement takes the form
d^ = acos{w(i;'- ^)+i)}.
in which a is a constant.
1) Note 25. 2) Note 26.
6U I. GENEKAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
By substitution of the value of the local time and of the value (96)
for y , this becomes
d, = «cosj^(H--*^)(^-f)+p
Thus we see that, at a fixed point of space, i. e. for a definite value
of y, the frequency of the vibrations is given by
•(1 +"'-)■
If the radiating particle has a positive velocity W , i. e. one that is
directed towards the point considered, this frequency is higher than
that of the particle itself, which, as is shown by (108), still has the
value n. This is the well known change of frequency which, according
to Doppler's principle, is caused by a motion of the source of light.
46. Our second example relates to the reflexion of a beam of
light by a perfectly reflecting mirror, for instance by one that con-
sists of a pe3-fectly conducting substance. We shall suppose the
incidence to be normal, and begin with the case of a mirror having
no translation, so that we have to use the original equations. Let
the beam of light be represented by (7) and let the surface of the
mirror coincide with the plane YOZ. Then, the reflected beam,
which we shall distinguish by the suffix (r), is given by
tlj,(r) = — flJ cos n\t- +— ), ^,(r) = ^ cos nii +— j •
Indeed, these values satisfy the condition that, at the mirror, there
be no dielectric displacement along its surface. If we put a; = 0,
we really find
^y + f'.M = 0-
The case of reflexion by a mirror moving with the velocity w^,
in the direction of the axis of x, i. e. in the direction of its normal,
can be treated by the same formulae, provided only we change x, t, d, h
into X, t', d', h'.ij Therefore, if the incident beam is now represented by
A^j = a cos nU'—^j, h; = a cos nit'—^,
we shall have for the reflected light
^'y{r) = — a COS w {t' + —^ , h'^^^, = a cos n it' + ^ .
Let us now examine the values of d^,, h^, d^,;,.) and h^^^, in this case.
The only component of w being w^, we flnd
1) Note 27.
REFLEXION BY A MOVING MIRROR. Gl
so that the incident rays are given by
h, = a(l + ^) eosn{t'-^-),
and the reflected rays by
^y(r) = - « (l -^ ^) COS W (t'+ j) ,
h.W = «(!-'?) cosw(r+^).
In these formulae we shall now express t' and x in terms of t and x.
The value of the local time is
t'=t *"^'
and
re' = a; — yij.
Hence
'■-y = (i + ^)('-7).
The formulae are simplified if we put
a(l + ^) = a, nil+^^)^n.
Continuing to neglect the square of — -, we infer from this
so that the final formulae for the incident rays are
d^ = a cosn(<— ^), h, = a cosn(i-yj,
and those for the reflected light
These equations show that both the frequency and the amplitude
of the reflected beam are changed by the motion of the mirror. The
62 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
frequency is now n(l ^\, smaller than n, if the mirror recedes
from the source. These changes might have been predicted on the
ground of Doppler's principle. As to the amplitude, it is changed
in exactly the same ratio as the frequency, so that the reflected in-
tensity is diminished by a motion in one direction and increased by
a motion in the other direction.
It is interesting to verify these results by considering the energy
of the system. This may easily be done, if we iix our attention,
not on the fluctuations of the electromagnetic energy, but on its
mean value, so that, at every point of the beam, tv^ and w^ (§ 16)
are considered as constants. Let the rays occupy a cylinder whose
generating lines are parallel to OX and whose normal section is 2.
Let P be a plane perpendicular to OX at some distance before the
mirror and having a fixed position in the ether. If W^ is positive,
so that the mirror i-ecedes, the space between the mirror and the
plane P increases by W^2J per unit of time, so that the energy
contained in that space increases by
Again, if p is the pressure on the mirror, the work done by the
field wiU be
Consequently, if S is the current of energy towards the min-or per
unit of area of the plane P, we must have
Si:=(w,+ wJw^U + pv/^2J. (109)
We can easily calculate the quantities occurring in this equation.
In the incident beam there is a flow of energy (§ 17)
towards the mirror, and in the reflected light a flow
ia^(l-^-;fc = |a^(l-l|'.)c
away from it, so that
S = 2aV,. (110)
As to w^, w^ and p, we may take for them the values that would
hold if the mirror where at rest, because these quantities have to be
multiplied by W^. Therefore, since the value of w^-^ tv^ consists of
two equal parts, one belonging to the incident and the other to the
reflected light*),
^Ve + W'^ = al (111)
1) Note 28.
MOTION OF ELECTRICITY IN METALS. 63
Finally, by what has been said in § 25,
P = a2. (112)
The values (110), (HI) and (112) really satisfy the condition (109).
47. I shall close this chapter by a short account of the appli-
cation of the theory of electrons to the motion of electricity in
metallic bodies. In my introductory remarks, I have already alluded
to the researches of Riecke, Drude and J. J. Thomson. I now
wish especially to call your attention to the views that have been
put forward by the second of these physicists.
In his theory, every metal is supposed to contain a large number
of free electrons, which are conceived to partake of the heat-motion
of the ordinary atoms and molecules. Further, a well known theorem
of the kinetic theory of matter, according to which, at a given tem-
perature, the mean kinetic energy is the same for all kinds of pai--
ticles, leads to the assumption that the mean kinetic energy of an
electron is equal to that of a molecule of a gas taken at the same
temperature. Though the velocity required for this is very conside-
rable, yet the electrons are not free to move away in a short time
to a large distance from their original positions. They are prevented
from doing so by their impacts against the atoms of the metal
itself.
For the sake of simplicity we shall assume only one kind of
free electrons, the opposite kind being supposed to be fixed to the
ponderable matter. Now, if the metal is not subjected to an electric
force, the particles are moving indiscriminately towards all sides;
there is no transfer of electricity in a definite direction. This changes
however as soon as an electric force is applied. The velocities of the
electrons towards one side are increased, those towards the other side
diminished, so that an electric current is set up, the intensity of
which can be calculated by theoretical considerations. The foi-mula
to which one is led, of course contains the electric force, the number
N of electrons per unit of volume, the charge e and the mass m of
each of them. In the first place, the force acting on an electron is
found if we multiply by e the electric force. Next dividing by m, we
shall find the velocity given to the electron per unit of time. The
velocity acquired by the electrons will further depend on the time
during which they are exposed to the undisturbed action of the
electric force, a time for which we may take the interval that elapses
between two successive impacts against a metallic atom. During this
interval, the length of which is given by — , if I is the path between
the two encounters, and u the velocity of the electron, the electric
64 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF FREE ELECTRONS.
force produces a certain velocity which we can take to be lost again
at the next collision.
These considerations will suffice for the explanation of the
formula
6 =
imu '
which Drude has established for the electric conductivity of the
metal, and in which we must understand by u the mean velocity of
the electrons in their irregular heat -motion, and by I their mean
length of free path. Now, as I said already, the mean kinetic energy
of an electron, for which we may write ^mu\ is supposed to be
equal to the mean kinetic energy of a gaseous molecule. The latter
is proportional to the absolute temperature T, and may therefore be
represented by
uT,
where a is a universal constant. If we use this notation, (113) takes
the form
a^^-^. (114)
48. In order to show you all the beauty of Drude's theory,
I must also say a few words about the conductivity for heat. This
can be calculated in a manner much resembling that in which it is
determined in the kinetic theory of gases. Indeed, a bar of metal
whose ends are maintained at different temperatures, may be likened
to a colum of a gas, placed, for example, in a vertical position, and
having a higher temperature at its top than at its base. The process
by which the gas conducts heat consists, as you know, in a kind of
diffusion between the upper part of the column, in which we find
larger, and the lower one in which there are smaller molecular velo-
cities; the amount of this diffusion, and the intensity of the flow of
heat that results from it, depend on the mean distance over which a
molecule travels between two successive encounters. In Drude's
theory of metals, the conduction of heat goes on in a way that is
exactly similar. Only, the carriers by which the heat is transferred
from the hotter towards the colder parts of the body, now are the
fi-ee electrons, and the length of their free paths is limited, not, as
in the case of a gas, by the mutual encounters, but by the impacts
against the metallic atoms, which we may suppose to remain at rest
nn account of their large masses.
Working out these ideas, Drude finds for the coefficient of con-
ductivity for heat
k = ^aNlu. (115)
CONDUCTIVITY FOR HEAT AND FOR ELECTRICITY. 65
49. It is highly interesting to compare the two conductivities,
that for heat and that for electricity. Dividing (115) by (114),
we get
"^-^[^P, (116)
which shows that the ratio must be equal for all metals. As a rough
approximation this is actually the case.
We see therefore that Drude has been able to account for the
important fact that, as a general rule, the metals which present the
greatest conductivity for heat are also the best conductors of elec-
tricity.
Going somewhat deeper into details, I can point out to you two
important verifications of the equation (116).
In the first place, measurements by Jaeger and Diessel-
horstM have shown that the ratio — between the two conductivities
6
varies approximately as the absolute temperature, the ratio between
the values of — for 100" and 18" ranging, for the different metals,
between 1,25 and 1,12, whereas the ratio between the absolute
temperatures is 1,28.
In the second place, the right-hand member of (116) can be
calculated by means of data taken from other phenomena.^) In order
to see this, we shall consider an amount of hydrogen, equal to an
electrochemical equivalent of this substance, and we shall suppose
this quantity to occupy, at the temperature T, a volume of one cubic
centimetre. It will then exert a pressure that can easily be calculated,
and which I shall denote by ]).
We have already seen that the charge e which occurs in the
formula (116), may be reckoned to be equal to the charge of an
atom of hydrogen in an electrolytic solution. Therefore, the number
of atoms in one electrochemical equivalent of hydrogen is — • The gas
being diatomic, the number of molecules is -~, and the total kinetic
energy of their progressive motion is
aT
2e
per cubic centimetre.
By the fundamental formula of the kinetic theory of gases the
1) W. Jaeger und H. Diesselhorst, Warmeleitung, Elektrizitatsleitung,
Warmekapazitat und Thermokraft einiger Metalle, Sitzungsber. Berlin 1899, p. 719.
2) See M. Reinganum, Theoretische Bestimmung des Verhaltnisses von
Warme- und Elektrizitatsleitung der Metalle aus der Drudeacheu Blektronen-
theorie, Ann. Phys. 2 (1900), p. 398.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 5
66 I. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. THEORY OF PEEE ELECTRONS.
pressure per unit area is numerically equal to two thirds of this,
so that
The equation (116) therefore takes the form
or
P
= ]/,^|t. (117)
This relation between the conductivities of a metal and other
quantities derived from phenomena which, at first sight, have no con-
nexion at all, neither with the conduction of heat, nor with that of
electricity, has been verified in a very satisfactory way.
The electrochemical equivalent of hydrogen being
0,000104
in our units, and the mass of a cubic centimetre of the gas at 0"
and under a pressure of 76 cm of mercury being 0,0000896 gramni,
one finds for the temperature of 18" (T = 273 + 1'^),
la.Sxloi^
el/4
7C
On the other hand, expressing a in the ordinary electromagnetic units,
Jaeger and Diesselhorst have found for silver at 18"
A = 686 X 10^.
G
In our units this becomes
Jc _ 686 X 108
by which we find for the quantity on the right hand side of (117)
12,9x 10'
showing a very close agreement with the value we have just cal-
culated for p.
50. I must add, however, that the numerical agreement becomes
somewhat less satisfactory, il^ instead of D rude 's formulae for the con-
ductivities, one takes the equations to which I have been led by cal-
culations that seem to me somewhat more rigorous than his. Taking
into account that the electrons in a piece of metal have unequal velo-
=v\
CONDUCTIVITY FOR HEAT AND FOR ELECTRICITY. 67
cities, and assuming Maxwell's Jaw for the distribution of these
among the particles, I find, instead of (114) and (115)^),
and
h = ^i\/^^ccmu. (120)
In these equations, m is a velocity of such a magnitude that its square
is equal to the mean square of the velocities which the electrons
have in their heat-motion, and I represents a certain mean length of
free path.
The ratio of the two conductivities now becomes
l = t(T)'^^
it is still proportional to the absolute temperature, but it is only
two thirds of the value given by Drude. On account of this we
must replace (117) by the equation
whose right-hand side, in the example chosen in § 49, has the value
15,8x10=
This is rather different from (118).
If we prefer the formulae (119) and (120) to (114) and (115),
as I think we are entitled to do, the agreement found in the prece-
ding paragraph must be considered as produced by a fortuitous coin-
cidence. Nevertheless, even the agreement we have now found, cer-
tainly warrants the conclusion that, in Drude's theory, a fair start
has been made towards the understanding of the electric and thermal
properties of metals. It is especially important to notice that our
calculations rest on the assumption that the free electrons in a metal
have charges equal to those of the ions of hydrogen.
1) Note 29.
CHAPTER 11.
EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
51. The subject of this and my next lecture will be the radia-
tion and absorption of heat, especially the radiation by what is called
a perfectly black body, considered with regard to the way in which
these phenomena depend on the temperature and the wave-length.
I shall first recall to your minds the important theoretical laws which
Kirchhoff, Boltzmann and Wien have found by an application
of thermodynamic principles. After that, we shall have to examine
how far the theory of electrons can give us a clue to the mechanism
of the phenomena.
We must begin by clearly defining what is meant by the absorb-
ing power and the emissivity of a body. Let a and to' be two in-
finitely small planes perpendicular to the line r joining their centres,
and let Jf be a body of the temperature T, placed so that it can
receive a beam of rays going through co' and a. We shall suppose
this beam to consist of homogeneous rays whose wave-length is I,
and to be plane-polarized, the electrical vibrations having a certain
direction h, perpendicular to the line r. Part of the incident rays
will be reflected at the front surface of the body, part of them will
penetrate into its interior, and of these some will again leave the
body, either directly or after one or more internal reflexions. How-
ever this may be, the body M, if it be not perfectly transparent,
will retain a certain amount of energy, an amount that is converted
into heat, because we shall exclude from our considerations all other
changes that might be produced.
The coefficient of absorption A is defined as the fraction indi-
cating what part of the incident energy is spent in heating the body 31.
On the other hai:id, of the whole radiation emitted by 31, a
certain portion will travel outwards through the two elements cj and co'.
We shall decompose this radiation into rays of different wave-lengths,
and we shall fix our attention on those whose wave-length lies be-
tween two limits infinitely near each other, I and I -{- dX. We shall
also decompose the electrical vibrations of these rays into a com-
BMISSIVITY AND ABSORBING POWER. 69
ponent along the line h of whicli I have just spoken, and a second
component perpendicular both to it and to the direction of the beam
itself It can easily be shown that the amount of energy emitted
by the body per unit of time through the two elements of surface,
so far as it belongs to rays of the wave-lengths that have been
specified, and to vibrations of the direction /*, is proportional to
CO, to', dl, and inversely proportional to the square of r. It can there-
fore be represented by
The coefficient E is called the emissivity of the body M. It is a
quantity depending on the nature of M, its position with respect to
the line r, the wave-length X, the temperature T and the direction h
which we have chosen for the vibrations.
Starting from the thermodynamic principle that in a system of
bodies having all the same temperature, the equilibrium is not dis-
turbed by their mutual radiation, and using a train of reasoning
which I shall not repeat, Kirchhoff^) finds that the ratio
E_
A
between the emissivity and the absorbing power is independent, both
of the direction we have chosen for h, and of the position and the
peculiar properties of the body M. It will not be altered if we
change th# position of 31, or replace it by an altogether different
body of the same temperature. The ratio between the emissivity and
the coefficient of absorption is a function of the temperature and the
wave-length alone.
52. I shall now point out to you two other meanings that may
be attached to this function. In the first place, following the example
of Kirchhoff, we can conceive a perfectly black body, or, as we shall
simply say, a Hack body, i. e. one that has the power of retaining
for itself the total radiating energy which falls upon it. Its coeffi-
cient of absorption is therefore 1, and if we denote its emissivity
by _Bj, the symbols A and E relating to any other body, we shall
have
1 = ^.- (122)
We may notice in passing that Kirchhoff's law requires all black
bodies, whatever be their nature, to have exactly the same emissivity.
1) G. Kirchlioff, Uber das Verhaltnis zwischen dem Emissionsvermogen
und dem Absorptionsvermogen der Korper fur Warme und Licht, Arm. Phys.
Chem. 109 (1860), p. 275.
70 n. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
The equation (122) expresses one of the two meanings of j-
to which I have alluded. The other will become apparent, if we fix
our attention on the state existing in the ether in the neighborhood
of radiating bodies.
We shall consider a space void of all ponderable matter and
surrounded on all sides by a perfectly black envelop, which is liept
at a fixed temperature T. The ether within this space is traversed
in all directions by rays of heat. Let a be an element of a plane
situated at any point P of the space, and having any direction we
like. We shall consider the quantity of energy by which this ele-
ment is traversed per unit of time in the direction of its normal n,
or rather in directions lying within an infinitely narrow cone, whose
solid angle we shall denote by a, and whose axis coincides with
the normal n, always confining ourselves to wave-lengths between X
and X + dX, and to a particular direction h of the electrical vibrations.
By this I mean that all vibrations of the rays within the cone are
decomposed along lines h and h that are perpendicular as well to
each other as to the axis of the cone, and that we shall only con-
sider the components having the first named direction.
Let P' be a point on the normal w, at a distance r from the
point P, and let us place at P' an element of surface perpendicular
to r, and whose magnitude is given by
m'=r^s. (123)
It is clear that, instead of speaking of the rays whose direction lies
within the cone f, we may as well speak of those that are propagated
through the elements a and ca'.
The quantity we wish to determine is therefore the flow of
energy through the two small planes, issuing from the part of
the enclosing wall behind to. In virtue of the formula (121), it is
given by
for which, on account of (123), we may write
E^coedX. (124)
Having got thus far, we need no longer consider the element co';
we have only to think of the element co and the cone s.
Now, what is most remarkable in our result, is the fact that it
is wholly independent of the position of the point P, the direction
of the element ro and the directions h and k, in which we have de-
composed the vibrations. The radiation field within the ether is a
ENERGY OF RADIATION PER UNIT OF VOLUME. 71
truly isotropic one, i. e. the propagation takes place in exactly the
same manner in all directions, and electrical vibrations of all different
directions occur with the same intensity.
We shall now calculate the amount of energy in this radiation
field per unit of volume. In the case of a beam of rays of a definite
direction the quantity of energy that is carried per unit of time
through a plane a perpendicular to the rays, is equal to the amount
existing at one and the same moment in a cylinder whose generating
line\ as© parallel to the rays, and which has co for its base and a
height equal to the velocity of light c; it is era times the energy
existing per unit of volume. Hence, the energy per unit of volume,
belonging to the rays to which the expression (124) relates, is found
if we divide that expression by era; its value is
c
We must now keep in mind that we have all along considered only
the rays whose direction lies within the cone s, and only those com-
ponents of their vibrations which have the direction h. If we wish
to include all rays, whatever be their direction and that of their
vibrations, we must make two changes. In the first place we must
multiply by 2, because the vibrations of the direction k have the
same intensity as those we have till now considered, and in the se-
cond place we must replace e by 4;r, because equal quantities of
energy belong to rays whose directions lie within different cones of
equal solid angles. The final result for the amount of energy present
in unit volume of our radiation field, the „density" of the energy,
so far as it is due to rays whose wave-lengths lie between the
limits X and 2, ->r dl, is
^E,dL
c °
We shall write for this energy
F{1, T')dX,
so that, if we also take into account the relation (122), we have
i^(Z,T) = ^i?, = i^f. (125)
This equation, which expresses the relation between -.- and the
density of energy, shows us the other meaning that may be given
to -. •
A
53. One word more may be said about the state of radiation
characterized by the function F(X, T). For the existence of this
72 II. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
state it is not at all necessary that the walls of the enclosure should
be perfectly black. We may just as well suppose that they are per-
fectly reflecting on the inside, and that the rays are produced by a
body placed somewhere between them. Nor need this body be per-
fectly black. Whatever be its nature, if it is maintained at the tem-
perature T we have chosen once for all, it can always be in equili-
brium with a state of radiation in which each element of volume
contains the energy we have been considering. We may add that
not only will it be in equilibrium with this state, but that it will
actually produce it, provided only the body have some emitting
power, however small it may be, for all wave-lengths occurring in
the radiation of a black body of the same temperature. If this con-
dition is fulfilled, the radiation in the ether will be independent of
the nature of the matter in which it originates; it wiU be determined
by the temperature alone.
54. Kirchhoff has already laid stress on the importance of the
function F{1, T), which must be independent of the peculiar pro-
perties of any body, and indeed the problem of determining this
function is of paramount interest in modem theoretical physics.
Boltzmann^) and Wien^) have gone as far towards the solution as
can be done by thermodynamic principles, combined with general
results of electromagnetic theory, if one leaves aside aU speculations
concerning the constitution of the radiating and absorbing matter.
Boltzmann's law shows us in what way the total energy
existing per unit of volume in the radiation field we have spoken of,
I mean the energy for the rays of all wave-lengths taken together,
depends on the temperature. It is proportional to the fourth power
of the absolute temperature, a result that had already been established
as an empirical rule by Stefan.
In his demonstration, Boltzmann introduces the fact that there
is a radiation pressure of the amount which we have formerly cal-
culated.
Let us consider a closed envelop, perfectly reflecting on the in-
side, and containing a body-Jf to which heat may he given or from
which heat may be taken, in one way or another. The remaining
part of the space contains only ether, and the walls are supposed to
be movable, so that the enclosed volume can be altered.
1) L. Boltzmann, AMeitung des Stefan'sohen Gesetzes, betreiFend die
Abhiingigkeit der Warmestrablung von der Temperatur aus der elektromagne-
tisohen Lichttlieorie, Ann. Phya. Chem. 22 (1884), p. 291.
2) W. Wien, Eine neue Beziehung der Strahlung schwarzer Korper zum
zweiten Hauptsatz der Warmetheorie, Berlin. Sitzungsber. 1893, p. 55.
BOLTZMANN'S LAW. 73
The system we have obtained in this manner is similar in many
respects to a gas contained in a vessel of variable capacity. It is
the seat of a certain energy, and like a gas it exerts a pressure on
the bounding walls; only, we have now to do, not with the collisions
of moving molecules, but with the pressure of radiation. If the walls
move outwards, the system does a certain amount of work on them.
Hence, a supply of heat is required, if we wish to maintain a con-
stant temperature, and the temperature is lowered by the expansion,
if the process is adiabatic. You will easily see that the system may
be made to undergo a cycle of operations, two of which are isother-
mic and two adiabatic changes, and to which we may apply the well
known law of Carnot.
Instead of imagining a cycle of this kind, I shall use a small
calculation that will lead us to the same result. In all cases in
which the state of a system is determined by the temperature T and
the volume v, and in which the only force exerted by the system is
a normal pressure p uniformly distributed over the surface, there is
a simple thermodynamic relation by which we can learn something
about the internal energy s. If we choose v and T as independent
variables, the equation has the form
This may be applied to our envelop filled with rays, as well as to
a gas; in a certain sense the case of the radiation is even the more
simple of the two. The reason for this is, that the density of the
energy depends solely on the temperature, so that, in an isothermic
expansion, the new part that is added to the volume is immediately
fiUed with an amount of energy proportional to its extent. The
energy contained in the space that was already occupied by the radia-
tion, remains unchanged, and the same may be said of the energy
contained within the body M. In order to see this, we must keep
in mind that, by what has been found in § 21, the pressure is equal
to one third of the electromagnetic energy per unit of volume, so
that the body remains exposed to the same pressure and, the tem-
perature being likewise constant, will undergo no change at all.
Let us denote by K the electromagnetic energy per unit of
volume, which, as we must take together all wave-lengths, may be
represented by
CO
K=fF{l,T)d}..
Then we shaU have
74 n. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT,
and
because, if the Toliime is increased by dv, the energy augments by
Kdv. Substituting in the formula (126), we find
iK
^dK
^ dT'
dK
K
A AT
= 4 ^ ,
from
which
we
deduce
:by
integration
K=GT\
where is a constant. The total energy per unit of volume, or as,
in virtue of (125), we may also say, the total emissivity of a black
body must be proportional to the fourth power of the temperature.
55. Passing on now to Wien's law, I shall first state the form
in which it may be put if we avail ourselves of that of Boltzmann.
Wien has not succeeded in determining the form of the function,
which indeed cannot be done by thermodynamic reasoning and
electromagnetic principles alone; he has however shown us how, as
soon as the form of the function is known for one temperature, it
may be found from this for any other temperature.
This may be expressed as follows. If T and T' are two diffe-
rent temperatures, X and 1' two wave-lengths, such that
l:X'=T':T, (127)
we shall have
F{X, T) : F(r, T) = I's : X\ (128)
If we put this in the form
F{X',T')^^^-F(^X',T),
we see that really F(X', T') can be determined for all values of X',
if we know F{X, T) for all values of X.
We can also infer from (127) and (12S) that if, while varying
X and T, we keep the product XT constant, the function X^F(X, T)
must also remain unchanged. Therefore, this last expression must
be some function f{XT) of the product of wave-length and tempera-
ture, so that our original function must be of the form
F{X,T) = y{XT). (129)
WIEN'S LAW. 75
Tlie relation between the forms of the function F{X, T) for
different temperatures comes out very beautifully. If, for a definite
temperature T, we plot the values of F(X, T), taking I as abscissae
and F as ordinates, we shall obtain a certain curve, which may be
said to represent the distribution of energy in the spectrum of a
black body of the temperature T. From this we can get the corre-
sponding curve for the temperature T' by changing all abscissae in
the ratio of T to T, and all ordinates in the ratio of T^ to T'l
The form of the curve has been determined with considerable
accuracy by the measurements of Lummer and Pringsheim.^) The
accompanying figure wiE give an idea
of it. It shows that, as could have
been expected, the intensity is small
for very short and very long waves,
reaching a maximum for a definite
wave-length which is represented by
OA, and which I shall call 1^^. Now,
if the curve undergoes the change of
shape of which I have just spoken,
this maximum will be shifted towards '^ '^si- 2 ^
the right if T' is lower than T, and
towards the left in the opposite case, the value of l^ being in fact
inversely proportional to the temperature. It is for this reason that
Wien's law is often called the displacement- law (Verschiebungsgesetz).
The diagram may also be used for showing that Boltzmann's
law is included in the formulae (127) and (128). The value of K
is given by the total area included between the curve and the axis
of abscissae, and this area changes in the ratio of T^ to T'^, when
the abscissae and ordinates are changed as has been stated.
56. It would take too much of our time, if I were to give you
a complete account of the theoretical deductions by which Wien found
his law. Just as in Boltzmann's reasoning, we can distinguish
two parts in it, one that is based on the equations of the electro-
magnetic field, and a second that is purely thermodynamic.
We have already seen that, for every temperature T, there is a
perfectly definite state of radiation in the ether, which has the pro-
perty that it can be in equilibrium with ponderable bodies of the
temperature T. For the sake of brevity I shall call this the natural
1) 0. Lummer u. E. Pringsheim, Die Strahlung eines schwarzen Korpers
zwisolien 100 und 1300" 0, Ann. Phys. Chem. 63 (1897), p. 395; Die Verteilung
der Energie im Spektrum des schwarzen Korpei-s, Verh. d. dentsohen phys. Ges.
1 (1899), p. 28.
76 U. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
state of radiation for the temperature T. It is characterized by
a definite amount K of energy per unit of Yolume, proportional
to T^, and which may therefore be used, instead of T itself, for
defining the state of the ether. If we speak of a natural state of
radiation with the energy -density K, we shall know perfectly what
we mean.
In this natural state the total energy is distributed in a definite
manner over the various wave-lengths, a distribution that is expressed
by the function Fil, T). Now, we can of course imagine other
states having the same density of energy K, but differing from the
natural one by the way in which the energy is distributed over the
wave-lengths; it might be, for example, that the energy of the long
waves were somewhat smaller, and that of the short ones somewhat
greater than it is in the natural state.
Wien takes the case of a closed envelop perfectly reflecting on
the inside, and containing only ether. He supposes this ether to be
the seat of a natural state of radiation A with the energy-density K]
this may have been produced by a body of the temperature T that
has been temporarily lodged in the enclosure, and has been removed
by some artifice. Of course, this operation would require a super-
human experimental skill and especially great quickness, but we can
suppose it to be succesfuUy performed. If then we leave the vessel
to itself, the radiations that are imprisoned within it, will continue
to exist for ever, the rays being over and over again reflected by the
walls, without any change in their wave-lengths and their intensity.
At this point, Wien introduces an imaginary experiment by
which the state of things can be altered. It consists in giving to
the walls a slow motion by which the interior volume is increased or
diminished. We have already seen (§ 46) that, if a mirror struck
normally by a beam of rays is made to recede, this will have a twofold
influence on the reflected rays; their frequency is lowered, so that
the wave-length becomes larger, and their amplitude is diminished.
The same will be true, though in a less degree, if the incidence of
the rays is not normal but oblique, and in this case also the effect
can be easily calculated.
In order to fix our ideas we shall suppose the walls of our
vessel to expand. Then, every time a ray is reflected by them, it
has its amplitude diminished and its wave-length increased, so that,
after a certain time, we shall have got a new state of radiation B,
differing from the original one by its energy per unit of volume and
by the distribution of the energy over the wave-lengths. The den-
sity of energy will have a certain value K', smaller than the original
value K, and the distribution over the wave-lengths will have been
somewhat altered in favour of the larger wave-lengths.
WIBN'S LAW. 77
Of course, K' can have different values, because the expansion by
which the new state is produced may be a large or a small one.
Since, however, the changes in the amplitudes and those in the wave-
lengths are closely connected, it is clear that the distribution of the
energy over the wave-lengths must be quite determinate if we know
K', so that it was possible for Wien to calculate it. His result may
be expressed as follows.') If
(p{l)dX (130)
is the part of the original energy per unit of volume that is due to
the rays with wave-lengths between X and I + dX, the amount of en-
ergy corresponding to the same interval in the new state B is given by
n
i) ■'p(Vi-^)^^- (131)
57. I hope I have given you a sufficiently clear idea of one
part of Wien's demonstration. As to the second part, the thermo-
dynamic one, its object is to show that the new state B, in which
there is a density of energy K', cannot be different from a natural
state of radiation having the same K', that it must therefore itself
be a natural state. If it were not, we could place our vessel con-
taining the state B against a second vessel containing a natural state
A' with the same value K', the two states being at first separated
by the walls of the two vessels. Then we could make an opening
in these walls, and close it immediately by means of a very thin plate
of some transparent substance. Such a plate will transmit part of
the rays by which it is struck, and, on account of the well-known
phenomena of interference, the coefficient of transmission will not be
the same for different kinds of rays. Let us suppose it to be some-
what greater for the long waves than for the short ones, and let us
also assume that the state B contains more of the long waves than
the state A', and less of the short waves. Then, it is easily seen that,
in the first instants after communication has been established between
the two vessels, more energy wiU pass from B towards A' than in
the inverse direction, so that the energy of the two states will not
remain equal. This can be shown to be in contradiction with the
second law of thermodynamics.
Our conclusion must therefore be that, by means of the ex-
pression (131), we can calculate the distribution of energy in a natural
state characterized by K', as soon as we know the distribiition, re-
presented by (130), for a natural state characterized by K. Now,
both states being natural ones, we shall have, if we write T and 1"
1) Note 30.
78 11. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
for the temperatures to which they correspond,
K : K' = T^ : T'\
Therefore, (131) becomes
by which we are led to Wien's law in the form in which I have
stated it.
58. Though Boltzmann and Wien have gone far towards
determining the function F{X, T), the precise form of the curve in
Fig. 2 remains to be found, and since the means of thermodynamics
are exhausted, we can only hope to attain this object, if we succeed
in forming some adequate mental picture of the processes which mani-
fest themselves in the phenomena of radiation and absorption.
The importance of the problem will be understood, if one takes
into account that the curve in Fig. 2 requires for its determination
at least two constants. Calling /l„, the abscissa OA for which the
ordinate is a maximum, we have by Wien's law
X ="-
and if, as before, the total area included between the curve and the
axis of abscissae is denoted by K, we shall have
Of the two constants a and h, the first determines, for a given tem-
perature T, the position of the point A, and the second relates to
the values of the ordinates, because the larger these are, the greater
will be the area K. Now, if the state of radiation is produced by a
ponderable body, the values of the two constants must be determined
by something in the constitution of this body, and these values can
only have the universal meaning of which we have spoken, if all
ponderable bodies have something in common. If we wish comple-
tely to account for the form and dimensions of the curve, we shall
have to discover these common features in the constitution of all
ponderable matter.
59. I shall speak of three theories by which the problem has
been at least partially solved, beginning with the one that goes farthest
of all. This has been developed by Planck^), and leads to a definite
formula for the function f(lT) in (129), viz. to
1) M. Planck, Uber irreversible Strahlungsvorgange, Ann. Phys. 1 (1900),
p. 69; tjber daa G-esetz der Knergieverteilung im Normalspektrum, Ann. Phys. 4:
(1901), p. 553; Tiber die Elementarquanta der Materie und der Elektrizitiit,
ibid., p. 564; see also his book: Vorlesungen uber die Theorie der Warme-
strahlung, Leipzig, 1906.
THEORY OF PLANCK. 79
F{X,T) = '-^.^-^, (132)
kXT
S —1
in which e is the basis of natural logarithms, whereas h and h are
two universal physical constants.
Planck's theory is based on the assumption that every ponde-
rable body contains an immense number of electromagnetic vibrators,
or „resonators" as he calls them, each of which has its own period.
If a body is enclosed within the perfectly reflecting walls we have
so often mentioned, there will be a state of equilibrium, on the one
hand between the resonators and the radiation in the ether, and on
the other hand between the resonators and the ordinary heat motion
of the molecules and atoms constituting the ponderable matter. The
first of these equilibria can be examined by means of the electro-
magnetic equations, and, in order to understand the second, one
could try to trace the interchange of energy between the resonators
and the ordinary particles. Planck, however, has not followed this
course, which would lead us into very serious difficulties, but has
found his formula by reasonings of a different kind.
In one of his papers he deduces it by examining what partition
of the energy between the two sets of particles, the molecules and
the resonators, is to be considered as the most probable one. Of
course this is an expression, the precise meaning of which has to be
fixed before we can make it the basis of the theory. I must abstain
from explaining the sense in which it is understood by Planck.
There is one point, however, in his theory to which I must refer for
a moment. He is obliged to assume that the resonators can gain
or lose energy, not quite gradually by infinitely small amounts, but
only by certain portions of a definite finite magnitude. These por-
tions are taken to be difi^erent for resonators of different frequencies.
The portions of energy which we have to imagine when we speak
of a resonator of the frequency n, have an amount that is given
by the expression
Jin
It is in this way that the constant li is introduced into the equations.
As to the constant /,, it has a very simple physical meaning.
According to the kinetic theory of gases, the mean kinetic energy of
the progressive motion of a molecule is equal for all gases, when
compared at the same temperature. This mean energy is proportional
to T, and if we represent it by f/cT, the quantity k will be the
constant appearing in the formula (132).
Planck's law shows a most remarkable agreement with the
experimental results of Lummer and Pringsheim, and it is of
80 II. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
high value because it enables us to deduce from measurements on
radiation the mean kinetic energy of a molecule, which, in its turn,
leads us to the masses of the atoms in absolute measure. As the
numbers obtained in this way^) are of the same order of magnitude
as those that have been found by other means, there is undoubtedly
much truth in the theory. Yet, we cannot say that the mechanism
of the phenomena has been unveiled by it, and it must be admitted
that it is difficult to see a reason for this partition of energy by
finite portions, which are not even equal to each other, but vary
from one resonator to the other.
60. I shall dwell somewhat longer on the second theory^), be-
cause it is an application of the theory of electrons, and therefore
properly belongs to my subject. In a certain sense, it may, I think, be
considered as rather satisfactory, but it has the great defect of being
confined to long waves. I may be permitted perhaps, by way of in-
troduction, to teU. you by what considerations I have been led to
this theory. It is well known that, in general, the optical properties
of ponderable bodies cannot be deduced quantitatively with any
degree of accuracy from the electrical properties. For example, though
Maxwell's theoretical inference, published long ago in his treatise,
that good conductors for electricity must be but little transparent
for light, is corroborated by the fact that metals are very opaque,
yet, if we compare the optical constants of a metal, one of which is
its coefficient of absorption, with the formulae of the electromagnetic
theory of light, taking for the conductivity the ordinary value that
is found by measurements on electric currents, there is a very wide
disagreement. This shows, and so does the discrepancy between tbe
refractive indices of dielectrics and the square root of their dielectric
constants, that, in the case of the very rapid vibrations of light, cir-
cumstances come into play with which we are not concerned in our
experiments on steady or slowly alternating electric currents.
If this idea be right, we may hope to find a better agreement,
if we examine the „optical" properties as we may continue to call
them, not for rays of light, but for infra-red rays of the largest
wave-lengths that are known to exist.
Now, in the case of the metals, this expectation has been verified
in a splendid way by the measurements of the absorption that were
made some years ago by Hagen and Rubens.') These pbysicists have
1) Note 31.
2) Lorentz, On the emission and absorption by metals of rays of heat
of great wave-lengths, Amsterdam Proc, 1902 — 03, p. COG.
3) E. Hagen u. H. Rubens, Uber Beziehungen des Reflexions- und
Emissionsvermogens der Metalle zu ihrem elektrischen Leitvermogen Ann Phvs
11 (1903), p. 873. ■ J ■
ABSORPTION BY A THIN METALLIC PLATE. 81
shown that rays whose wave-length is between 8 and 25 microns, are
absorbed to a degree that may be calculated with considerable accuracy
from the known conductivity.^) We can conclude from this that, in
order to obtain a theory of absorption in the case of these long waves,
we only have to understand the nature of a common current of con-
duction. Moreover, if in this line of thought, we can form for our-
selves a picture of the absorption, it must also be possible to get an
insight into the way in which rays are emitted by a metal. Indeed,
the universal validity of Kirchhoff's law clearly proves that the
causes which produce the absorption by a body, and those which call
forth its radiation, must be very closely related. Therefore, as soon
as we have an adequate idea about a common current of conduction,
we may hope to be able to explain the absorption and the emissivity
of a metal, and to calculate the ratio between the two, i. e. our uni-
versal function F{1, T). However, we can only hope to succeed in
this, if we confine ourselves to long waves.
Now, as we have already seen, a very satisfactory conception of
the nature of a current of conduction has been worked out by
Drude. We must therefore try to obtain a theory of the radiation
and emission of metals that is based on his general principles, and
in which we simply assume that the metal contains a large number
of free electrons, moving with such speeds that their mean kinetic
energy is equal to uT.
61. In doing so, we shall simplify as much as possible the cir-
cumstances of the case. We shall consider a metal plate, whose thickness
z/ is so small that the absorption may be considered as proportional to
it, and that, in examining the emission, we need not consider the ab-
sorption which the rays emitted by tbe back half of the plate undergo,
while traversing the layers lying in front of it. We shall also confine
ourselves to rays whose direction is perpendicular to the plate or makes
an infinitely small angle with the normal. These assumptions wiU
greatly facilitate our calculations without detracting from the generality
of the final result. If we trust to Kirchhoff's law, the value which
we shall find for the ratio between the emissivity and the coefficient
of absorption may be expected to hold for all bodies and for all
directions of the rays.
The calculation of the absorption is very easy. By the ordinary
formulae of the electromagnetic field we find for the coefficient of
absorption^)
A = ~ J,
1) Note 32. 2) Note 33.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
82 11- EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
and here we have only to substitute the value of 0, given by Drude's
theory. Using the formula (119), we find
r S7t acT ^
62. The question now arises, in what manner a piece of metal
in which free electrons are moving in all directions can be the source
of a radiation. The answer is contained in what we have seen in a
former lecture. We know that an electron can be the centre of an
emission of energy only when its velocity changes. The cause of
the emission must therefore be looked for in the impacts against the
metallic atoms, by which the electron is made to rebound in a new
direction, so that the radiation of heat, in the case we are now con-
sidering, very much resembles the production of Rontgen rays, as
it is explained in Wiechert's and J. J. Thomson's theory.
The mathematical operations required for the determination of
the effects of the impacts are rather complicated, the more so because
we must decompose the total radiation into the parts corresponding
to different wave-lengths. I shall therefore give only a general outline
of the calculations.
I must mention in advance that the decomposition of which
I have spoken just now will be performed by means of Fourier's
theorem, and that the duration of an impact will be taken to be ex-
tremely small in comparison with the time of vibration of the rays
considered. We shall even make the same assumption with regard
to the time between two successive impacts of an electron. This is
justified by the experiments of Hagen and Rubens. It is easily
seen that the conductivity of a metal can be given by the formula
(119), only if the electric force acts on the body either continually
or at least for a time during which a large number of encounters of
an electron take place. Therefore, the result found by Hagen and
Rubens, viz. that the absorption corresponds to the coefficient of
conductivity, proves that the time during which the electric force
acts in one and the same direction, i. e. half a period, contains very
many times the interval between two successive encounters.
63. In § 51 we have considered the radiation from the body M
through two infinitely small planes cd and a'. We shall now suppose
the first of these to be situated in the front surface of the thin
metallic plate, and we shall fix our attention on the radiation issuing
from the corresponding part co J of the plate, and directed towards
the element ra', parallel to m^ and situated at a point P of the line
drawn normally to the plate from the centre of the element a.
EMISSION BY A THIN PLATE. 83
We shall begin by taking into account only the component of the
electric vibrations in a certain direction h perpendicular to OP.
Let us choose the point as origin of coordinates, drawing the
axis of z along OP, that of a; in the direction h, and denoting the
distance OP by r. According to what has been found in § 39,
a single electron, moving with the velocity V in the part of the plate
considered, will produce at P a dielectric displacement whose first
component is given by
e dv^
inc^r dt '
if we take the value of the differential coefficient for the proper
instant.
On account of our assumption as to the thickness of the plate,
this instant may be represented for all the electrons in the portion caz/
by ^ , if i is the time for which we wish to determine the state
of things at the point P. We may therefore write for the first
component of the dielectric displacement at P
d^ = -^V(^e%V .. (134)
c
The flow of energy through m per unit of time will be
cd>'.
Since the motion of the electrons between the metallic atoms is
highly irregular, we shall have, at rapidly succeeding instants, a large
number of impacts in which the changes of the velocity are widely
different. The state at P, which is due to aU these impacts, will
show the same irregularity. Nevertheless, we must try to deduce
from the formulae relating to it, results concerning those quantities
that can make themselves felt in actual experiments.
Results of this kind are obtained by considering the mean values
of the variable quantities calculated for a sufficiently long lapse of
time. We shall suppose this time to extend from ^ = to t = d:
If the mean value of d| is denoted by d;, we shall have for the flow
of energy through a that is accessible to our means of observation
,9-
c^im'^ca'-^fAldt. (135)
64. The introduction of this long time &■ is also very useful
for the application of Fourier's theorem. Whatever be the way in
which d^ changes from one instant to the next, we can always expand
it in a series by the formula
84 n. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
d. = 2«.sinlj, (136)
where s is a positive whole number, each coefficient a^ being deter-
mined by
«^ = iA¥M^- (137)
It appears from (136) that the frequency of one of the terms is
Sit
so that the corresponding wave-length is given by
2«c 2c«'
(138)
The interval -9- being very large, the values of I belonging to small
values of s will be so too; we shall not, however, have to speak of
these very long waves, because they may be expected to represent
no appreciable part of the total radiation. The rays with which we
are concerned, will have wave-lengths below a certain upper limit l^,;
therefore, provided the time -9' (which we are free to choose as long
as we like) be long enough, they will correspond to very high values
of the number s. Now, if 1^ and l^_^^ are two successive wave-
lengths, we shall have
!+l S + 1'
which is a very small number. The wave-lengths corresponding to
the successive terms in our series are thus seen to diminish by ex-
ceedingly small steps. This means that, if we were to decompose
the radiation represented by (136) into a spectrum, we should find a
very large number of lines lying closely together. Their mutual
distances may be indefinitely diminished by increasing the length of
the time %■ and the values of s corresponding to the part of the
spectrum we wish to consider. This is the way in which we can
deduce from our formulae the existence of a continuous spectrum
and the laws relating to it.
Let I and I + dl be two wave-lengths, which, from a physical
point of view, may be said to lie infinitely near each other. If %■
is duly lengthened, the part of the spectrum corresponding to dl
contains a large number of spectral lines, for which we find
-^ dl.
EMISSION BY A THIN PLATE. 85
This is clear, if, after haying written (138) in the form
we observe that the number of lines is the same as the number of
integers lying between the limits
and
for which we may take the difference
2cfl-
because, in virtue of our supposition, this difference is much larger
than 1.
We have now to substitute the value (136) in the equation (135).
It is easily seen that the product of two terms of the series for d
will give 0, if integrated with respect to time between the limits
and &. Moreover
and (135) becomes
cd>'=ic«'2«f- (139)
= 1
This is the total flow of energy through a'. In order to find the
part of it, corresponding to wave-lengths between I and A + dX, we
have only to observe that the -jr^^^ spectral lines lying within that
interval, may be considered to have equal intensities.^)
In other terms, the value of a^ may be regarded as equal for
each of them, so that they contribute to the sum in (139) an amount
Consequently, the part of the flow of energy, belonging to the inter-
val of Avave-lengths dl, is given by
"^'^-a^dl, (140)
and our problem wiE be solved, if we succeed in calculating a^.
65. The following mathematical developments are somewhat
more rigorous than those which I gave in my paper on the subject.
1) Note M.
86 n. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
In fact, I sliall now introduce Maxwell's law for the distribution
of the velocities among the electrons, and take into account that the
free paths are not all of the same length. At the same time I shall
introduce a simplification for which I am indebted to Langevin'), and
by which it will be possible to give in a small space the essential
part of the calculation.
By (134) and (137) we see that
■inO-c'^r ^
(«/--:' -"2'' *i. (i«)
where the square brackets serve to indicate the value of V^ at the
T
time t
c
The meaning of this equation is, that we must first, for one
definite electron,, calculate the integral, taking into account all the
values of the acceleration occurring during the interval of time
between and ■9- This havinsr been done, we have to take
the sum of the values that are found in this way for all the free
electrons contained in the part C3z/ of the plate.
Integrating by parts we find, because sin — ^ vanishes at the
limits.
"» 2«'^c2»-
2'l/Wcos^-^^), (142)
for which, imderstanding by V^ the value at the time i, we may also
write
/'.°«f('+o-)
dt
By this artifice of partial integration, the problem is reduced to a
much simpler one. If we had directly to calculate the integral
in (141), we should have to attend to the intervals of time durino-
which an electron is subjected to the force which makes it rebound
from an atom against which it strikes; indeed, it is only during these
intervals that there is an acceleration. On the other hand, the inte-
gral in (142) is made up of parts, due, not only to the times of
1) See his translation of my paper in H. Abraham et P. Langevin, Les
quantit^s eWmentaires d'^lectricite, ions, electrons, oorpuscules, Paris (1905) 1
p. 507. '
EMISSION BY A THIN PLATE. ,S7
impact, but also to all intervening intervals. If we suppose the du-
ration of an encounter to be very much smaller than the lapse of
time between two successive collisions of an electron, we may even
confine ourselves to the part that corresponds to the free paths be-
tween these collisions.
While an electron travels over one of these free paths, its velo-
city V^ is constant. We may also neglect the change in the factor
cos^^^ +~j, because the time between two encounters is supposed
to be very much smaller than the time of vibration corresponding
to s. The part of a^ which corresponds to one electron, and to
the time during which it describes one of its free paths, is therefore
given by
if we understand by r the time during which the path is travelled
over. In the last factor we may take for t the value corresponding
to the middle of the time r.
We shall now fix our attention on all the paths described by
all the electrons during the time Q: If we use the symbol S for
denoting a sum relating to all these free paths, we shall have
rV,cos^(^-f-f)). (143)
se
aS'^cV
66. We have to determine the square of the sum S. This may
be done rather easily, because the products of two terms
S7C
rv^ cos -r-
('H).
whether they correspond to two different free paths of one and the
same electron, or to two paths described by different electrons will
give 0, if all taken together. Indeed, the velocities of two electrons
are wholly independent of each other^ and the same may be said of
the velocities of one definite electron at two instants between which it
has undergone one or more impacts.') Therefore, positive and negative
values of V^ being distributed quite indiscriminately between the terms
of (143), positive and negative signs will be equally probable for the
products of two terms.
It is seen in this way that we have only to calculate the sum
of the squares of the several terms, so that we find
«»=I^«h^vIcos^f(.-Ff)).
1) Note 35.
88 11- EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
Now, since the irregular motion of the electrons takes place with the
same intensity in all directions, we may replace v| by ^V^ Therefore,
writing I for the length t | V | of the free path, we find
3 s'e
;^.s(Pcos^f(^+-^))
In the immense number of terms included in the sum, the length I
is very different, and in order to effect the summation we may
begin by considering only those terms for which it has a certain
particular value. In these terms, which are still very numerous, the
angle -^ (t -] i has values that are distributed at random over an
interval ranging from to sn. The square of the cosine may there-
fore be replaced by its mean value \, so that
67. The metallic atoms being considered as immovable, the
velocity of an electron is not altered by a collision. We can there-
fore fix our attention on a certain group of electrons which move
along their zigzag-lines with a definite velocity u. During the time %•,
one of these particles describes a large number of free paths, this
number being given by
u&
if ?„j is the mean length of the paths. It can be shown ^) that the
number of paths whose length lies between I and I + dl, is
so that
-^ - s 'ii, dl.
— ^2 — ' ^ ^"^ di
is the part of the sum S(Z^) contributed by these paths. Integrating
with respect to I from to oo, we find
2^mL (145)
for the value of S(P) in so far as it is due to one electron.
The total number of electrons in the part of the metallic plate
under consideration is Nm/I and, by Maxwell's law, among these
43tiV(DZ?]/|^£-»"V(?M (146)
1) Note 36.
RATIO BETWEEN BMISSIVITY AND ABSORPTION. 89
have velocities between u and u + du, the constant q being related
to the velocity m,„ whose square is equal to the mean value of u^,
by the formula
a
3 =
2m|.
In order to find the total value of S(V) we must multiply (145) by
(146), and integrate the product between the limits m = and m = oo.
Supposing ;,„ to be the same for all values of m^), we find
Finally, the equation (144) becomes
«5 = l/al-
and the expression (140) for the radiation through the element oj'
takes the form
or, in virtue of (138), if, instead of ?„,, m„,, we simply write Z, u,
'V 2 eHNu
rH'
ma JdX.
This is the energy radiated per unit of time, in so far as it belongs
to wave-lengths between X and X + dX, and to the components of
the vibrations in one direction }i. Thus, the quantity we have cal-
culated is exactly what was represented by (121), and on comparing
the two expressions we find
for the emissivity of the plate.
68. We have now to combine this with the value (133), which
we have found for the coefficient of absorption. If Kirchhoff's
law is to hold, the ratio —^ must be independent of those quantities
by which one metallic plate differs from the other. This is really
seen to be the case, since the number iV of electrons per unit of
volume, the mean length I of theii- free paths and the thickness A
of the plate aU disappear from the ratio. We really get for -^ and
for F{X, T) values that are independent of the peculiar properties of
1) Note 37.
kXT
E =
1 +
ch
F{1, T)
8
TtlcT
90 II. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
any ponderable body. I must repeat however that all our considerations
only hold for large wave-lengths.
Using the formulae (125), (133) and (147), we find
i^(A,T) = ^^. (148)
It is very remarkable that this result is of the form (129) and that
it agrees exactly with that of Planck. This may be seen, if in (132)
we suppose the product AT to have a very large value, so that the
exponent is very small. Then, we may put
and (132) becomes
This is equal to (14H), because our coefficient a corresponds to |fc
in Planck's notation. As has been stated, the mean kinetic energy
of a molecule of a gas is -^cT, and we have represented it by ccT})
69. A widely different theory of the radiation of a black body
has been developed by Jeans. ^) It is based on the theorem of the
so-called equipartition of energy, which plays an important part in
the kinetic theory of gases and in molecular theories in general.
In its most simple form it was discovered by Maxwell in 1860;
afterwards it was largely extended by Boltzmann, and Jeans has
given an ample discussion of it in his book on the kinetic theory
of gases.
Maxwell was led to the theorem by his theoretical investigations
concerning the motion of systems consisting of a large number of
molecules. If, from a mass of gas, we could select single molecules,
we should find them to move with very different velocities, and to
have very different kinetic energies. The mean kinetic energy of the
progi-essive motion, taken for a sufficiently large number of molecules
will however be the same in adjacent parts of the gas, if the tem-
perature is the same everywhere, so that these parts can be said to
be in equilibrium. This wiU even be true if the gas is subjected to
external forces, such as the force of gravity, which make the density
change from point to point. Also, if we have a mixture of two
gases, the mean kinetic energy of a molecule can be shown to be
equal for the two constituents, and we can safely assume that for
1) Note 38.
2) J. H. Jeans, On the partition of energy between matter and aether,
Phil. Mag. (6) 10 (1905), p. 91.
EQUIPAETITION OF ENERGY. 91
two gases that are not mixed, but kept apart, this equality of the
mean kinetic energy ol a molecule is the condition for the existence
of equilibrium of temperature. We can express this by saying that
the kinetic energy of a gas, in so far as it is due to the progressive
motion of the molecules, can be calculated by attributing to each
molecule an amount of energy having the same definite value,
whatever be the nature of the gas.
This amount of energy is proportional to the absolute tempera-
ture T, and may therefore be represented, as I have done already
several times, by aT, a being a universal constant.
We can express the result in a somewhat different way. If the
molecules of the gas are supposed to be perfectly elastic and rigid
smooth spheres, the only motion with which we are concerned in
these questions is their translation; the position of the particles can
therefore be determined by the coordinates x, y, 2 of their centres.
If T is the number of molecules, the configuration of the whole
system requires for its determination 3^^' coordinates, or, as is often
said, the system has 3i\" degrees of freedom. To each degree of
freedom, or to each coordinate x, tj or z, corresponds a certain velo-
city X, y or 2, and also a certain kinetic energy ^-mx-', \mi/, ^}mk^.
The total energy of the gas can be calculated by taking ^aT for
the kinetic energy corresponding to each degree of freedom. The
factor -^ is here introduced because the total kinetic energy of a
molecule, whose mean value is aT, is the sum of the quantities
^mx^, i-mi/^, l-mz^, corresponding to its three degrees of freedom.
70. These remarks will suffice for the understanding of what
is meant by the equipartition of energy in less simple cases. The
configuration of a body of any kind, i. e. the position of the ultimate
particles of which it is conceived to be made up, can always be de-
termined, whatever be the connexions between these particles, by a
certain number of coordinates p in the general sense in which the
term has been used by Lagrange, and these coordinates can often
be chosen in such a manner that the kinetic energy is equal to a
sum of terms, each of which is proportional to the square of one of
the velocities p, so that it may be said to consist of a number of
parts corresponding to the different degrees of freedom of the system.
The theorem of equipartition teUs us that, if the temperature is T,
the kinetic energy of a system having a very large number of degrees
of freedom, as all bodies actually have, can be found by attributing
to each degree of freedom a kinetic energy equal to ^ccT.
It should be noticed that it is only the kinetic energy that can
be calculated in this way. If we wish to determine the whole energy,
we must add the potential part of it. Now, there is one case, and
92 n. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
it is the very one that is most relevant to our purpose, in vs^hich
the value of the potential energy is likevrise determined by a very
simple rule.
Let us consider a system capable of small vibrations about a
position of stable equilibrium, and let the coordinates Pi, p^, ■ ■■> Pn
be in this position, so that they measure the displacement of the
system from it. These coordinates can be chosen in such a way that
not only, as we have already required, the kinetic energy is the sum
of a number of terms each containing the square of a velocity p, but
that, besides this, the potential energy is expressed as a similar sum
of terms of the form ap'^, where « is a constant.
The most general motion of the system is made up of what we
may call fundamental or principal modes of vibration. These are
characterized by the peculiarity that in the first mode only the co-
ordinate p^ is variable, in the second only p^, and so on, the variable
coordinate being in every case a simple harmonic function of the
time t, with a frequency that is in general different for the different
modes. It is a fundamental property of these principal vibrations,
that, in each of them, the mean value of the potential energy for a
full period, or for a lapse of time that is very long in comparison
with the period, is equal to the mean value of the kinetic energy.
Moreover, if the system vibrates in several fundamental modes at the
same time, the total energy is found by adding together the values
which the energy would have in each of these modes separately.^)
71. We shall now suppose a system of this kind, having a very
large number of degrees of freedom, to be connected with an ordinary
system of molecules, with a gas for example, so that it can be put
in motion by the forces which it experiences from the molecules, and
can in its turn give off to these a part of its vibratory energy. Then,
there can be a state of equilibrium between the heat motion of the
molecules and the vibratory motion of the system. We may even
speak of the vibrations of the system as of its heat motion, and say
that the system has a definite temperature, the same as that of the
system of molecules with which it is in equilibrium.
The theorem of the equipartition of energy requires that, whatever
be the exact way in which the vibrating system loses or gains energy,
it shall have for each of its coordinates a kinetic energy given by
\aT. The sum of the potential and kinetic energies must be -|o;T
for each of its fundamental modes of vibration, and the problem of
determining the total energy is, after all, a very simple matter. We
need not even specify the coordinates by which the configuration of
1) Note 39.
JEANS'S THEORY OF RADIATION. 93
the system can be determined. All we want to know is the number
of the fundamental modes of vibration; multiplying by this the quan-
tity faT, we shall have the energy of the system corresponding to
the temperature T.
72. It was a most happy thought of Jeans to apply this
method to the problem of radiation. It enables us to calculate
the energy of radiation in the ether for a certain temperature T
without having to trouble ourselves about the mechanism of emission
and absorption, without even considering a ponderable body. The
only question is, what is the number of degrees of freedom for a
certain volume of ether. For the sake of convenience we shall enclose
this volume by totally reflecting walls, and to begin with, we shall
imagine two such walls, unlimited parallel planes at a distance q from
each other. The ether between them can be the seat of standing
waves, which we can compare to those existing in an organ-pipe, and
which may be conceived to arise from the superposition of systems
of progressive waves.
The condition at a perfectly reflecting surface is that Poyn ting's
flow of energy be tangential to it. It will be so if, for example, the
surface is a perfect conductor, the tangential components of the
electric force being in this case. Let us suppose the two boundary
planes to be of this kind. If they are perpendicular to the axis of x,
their equations being a; = 0, and x = q, the condition for the electric
force can be fulfilled by the superposition of two sets of progressive
waves, such as are represented by the equations (7) and by those
given in § 46. The total dielectric displacement
a cos n(t \ — a cos nit -\ j
= 2a sLq nt sin
nx
c
11 q
will be for a; = 0, and also for x = q, if is a multiple of n,
c
or, what amounts to the same thiQg, if the distance g is a multiple
of half the wave-length. The possible modes of motion will therefore
have wave-lengths equal to 2q, q, -|g, etc.
73. We shall next examine the vibrations that can take place
in the ether contained within a box, whose walls are perfectly reflecting
on the inside, and which has the form of a rectangular parallelepiped.
Let the axes of coordinates be parallel to the edges, and let the lengths
of these be q^, q^, q^.
We can imagine eight lines such that their direction constants
have equal absolute values, but aU possible algebraic signs; indeed.
94 II. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OP HEAT.
denoting by fi^, fi^, (ig the absolute values of the constants, we shall
have the eight combinations
(-f^lj — ^2,-^3) •
(149)
If a beam of parallel rays within the rectangular box has one of these
lines for its direction of propagation, the reflexion at the walls wiU
produce bundles parallel to the other seven lines, and if the values
of (i^, fi.j, jiig and the wave-length X are properly chosen, the boundary
conditions at the walls can be satisfied by the superposition of eight
systems of progressive waves travelling in the eight directions. In
order to express the condition to which fij, /i^, (i^, I must be sub-
jected, we shall imagine three lines P^Q^, F^Qi, and P3 $3 parallel
to the sides of the box and joining points of two opposite faces,
so that"
^1 <3i = g-i, A <?2 = I2, P^ Q3 = g.i-
In a system of progressive waves travelling in the direction determined
^1 C-iy t^2> f*s ^^^ difference of phase between Pj and Q^ is measured
by a distance fi^q^, that between P^ and Q^ by f/jfe" and that be-
tween Pg and Qg by fig^g. The condition for fij, ^^, ,«g, X amounts to
this') that each of these three lengths must be a multiple of ^X.
Therefore, if we put
^'-^/,, '^I'^-^lC,, ^=^g, (150)
\, h.,, /Cg must be whole positive numbers
On account of the relation
f*l +/^| + f^3= Ij
we have
and so we now see that for any three whole numbers \, h^, J:.^ there is
a correspouding set of standing waves. The wave-length is given
by (151) and the direction constants of the normals to the progres-
sive waves which we have to combine, by (149) and (150). As these
progressive waves can have two different states of polarization 2), each
set of numbers l\, \, \ will lead us to hvo fundamental modes of
vibration of the ether in the rectangular box, and the energy corre-
sponding to each set {\, Z^, /,g) will be not ^aT, but ■'^aT^
1) Note 40. 2) Note 41.
JEANS'S THEORY OF RADIATION. 95
Now, the object of our enquiry is the amount of energy of the
ether in so far as it belongs to vibrations whose wave-length lies
between given limits I and k + dX. This amount is
v-iaT,
if V is the number of sets of positive integers /,^, l-^, l-^ for which
the value of A given by (151) lies between I and X + dX.
74. The number v can easily be calculated if we confine our-
selves, as we obviously may do, to wave-lengths that are very small
in comparison with the dimensions g,, q^, q^ of the box.
Let us consider Iq, \, /cj as the rectangular coordinates of a
point. Then (151) is the equation of an ellipsoid having for its
semi-axes
^, ^S ^- (162)
Changing X into X ^ dX we get a second ellipsoid, and v will be the
number of points (/ij. A',, k.^) lying between these two surfaces, whose
corresponding semi-axes differ by
(153)
On account of our assumption concerning the wave-lengths, the
expressions (152) are very high numbers, and we may even suppose
that, notwithstanding the smallness of dX, the numbers (153) are
also very large. This means that all dimensions, the thickness in-
cluded, of the ellipsoidal shell are very large in comparison with
the unit of length.
The number of points with coordinates represented by whole
numbers, which lie in a part of space whose dimensions are much
larger than the unit of length, may be taken to be equal to the
number representing the volume of that part. Remembering that we
are only concerned with positive values of /i\, 1^2, h^, we find that v
is equal to the eighth part of the numerical value of the volume of
the ellipsoidal shell. We have therefore
and for the energy which we were to calculate
v.-aT= -3p- dX.
This is the energy contained in the volume of our rectangular box.
Dividing by q^q^Ciz, one finds for the energy of radiation in the ether,
22i
dX
2 2,
dX
23,
dX
X
X >
X
X >
X
X
96 n. EMISSION AND ABSORPTION OF HEAT.
per unit of volume, so far as it is due to vibrations whose wave-
length lies between X and A + ^^,
a result agreeing exactly with (148).
75. The theory of radiation that was given in §§ 60 — 68 is
restricted to systems containing free electrons and to the case of very
long waves. It therefore requires a further development with regard
to bodies, such as a piece of glass, in which we can hardly admit
the existence of freely moving electrons, and with regard to the
shorter waves. If we admit the laws of Boltzmann and Wien, and
if we take for granted that a curve like that of Fig. 2 represents a
state of radiation that can be in equilibrium with a ponderable body
of a given temperature, we must try to account for the form of the
curve and to discover the ground for the constancy of the product
X^T. If we succeed in this, we may hope to find in what manner
the value of this constant is determined by some numerical quantity
that is the same for all ponderable bodies.
The theory of these phenomena takes a very diiferent aspect if
we regard the law of the equipartition of energy as a rule to which
there is no exception, considering at the same time the ether as a
continuous medium without molecular structure. Just like any other
continuous distribution of matter, like a homogeneous string for
example, a finite part of the ether must then be said to have au in-
finite number of degrees of freedom; there will be no upper limit to
the frequency of the modes of vibration that can exist in the ether
enclosed in the rectangular box of which we have spoken.
On the contrary, the number of degrees of freedom of a pon-
derable body is certainly finite if the ultimate particles of which it
consists are considered as rigid. Consequently, as Jeans has ob-
served, the theorem of equipartition requires that in a system com-
posed of a ponderable body and ether, however large be the part of
space that is occupied by the body, no appreciable part of the total
energy shall be found in the latter when the equilibrium is reached.
Indeed, according to Jeans's theory, the formula (148) must be true
for (M wave-lengths, so that, for a given temperature, we shall find
an infinite value if, for the calculation of the total amount of energy,
the expression is integrated as far down as A = 0. This means that,
if the ether receives any finite amount of energy, such as that which
is stored up in a body of finite size, the temperature of the ether
cannot perceptibly rise, the energy being wasted, so to say, for the
production of extremely short electromagnetic ripples.
JEANS'S THEORY OF RADIATION. 97
In order to reconcile these results with observed facts, Jeans
points out that the emission of rays whose wave lengths are below a
certain limit may be a very slow process, so slow that a true equi-
librium is never realized in our experiments. Under these circum-
stances it is conceivable that, though in length of time all energy of
a body will be frittered away, yet a certain state may be reached in
which there are no observable changes, and in which therefore there
is a kind of spurious equilibrium.
76. Jeans's conclusions are certainly very important and deserve
careful consideration. One can imagine three ways in which one
might escape from them. In the first place, one could suppose the
number of degrees of freedom of a ponderable body to be itself in-
finite, either on account of the deformability of the ultimate particles
or on account of the ether the body contains; this, however, would
lead us to a contradiction with experiments, because it would require
a value of the specific heat, far surpassing that to which we are led
if we attend only to the progressive motion of the molecules. In
the second place, we could imagine a structure of the ether which
would make a finite portion of it have only a finite number of de-
gress of freedom. Lastly, we could altogether abandon the theorem
of equipartition as a general law. Then, however, we shall be obliged
to explain why it holds for the case of sufficiently long waves.
Questions of equal importance and no less difficulty arise when
we adhere to Jeans's views. It is difficult to believe that, in
establishing the laws of Boltzmann and Wien, which have been
so beautifully confirmed by experiment, physicists have been on a
wholly wrong track. It will therefore be necessary to show for what
reason those spurious states of equilibrium of which I have spoken
are subjected to the laws of thermodynamics, and we shall again
have to find the physical meaning of the constant value of A^T.
I shall conclude by observing that the law of equipartition which,
for systems of molecules, can be deduced from the principles of sta-
tistical mechanics, cannot as yet be considered to have been proved
for systems containing ether.')
1) Note 42.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
CHAPTER III.
THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFFECT.
77. The phenomenon of the magnetic rotation of the plane of
polarization, discovered hy Faraday in 1845, was the first proof of
the intimate connexion between optical and electromagnetic pheno-
mena. For a long time it remained the only instance of an optical
eifect brought about by a magnetic field. In 1877, however, Kerr
showed that the state of polarization of the rays reflected by an iron
mirror is altered by a magnetization of the metal, and in 1896
Zeeman'^) detected an influence of a magnetic field on the emission
of light. If a source of light, giving one or more sharp lines in the
spectrum, is placed between the poles of a powerful electromagnet,
each line is split into a certain number of components, whose distances
are determined by the intensity of the external magnetic force.
In my discussion of these magneto-optical phenomena (in which,
however, I shall not speak of the theory of the Kerr- effect), I shall
first take the simplest of them all. This is the Zee man- effect, as
it showed itself in the first experiments, a division of the original
spectral line into three or two components, the number depending
on the direction in which the rays are emitted.
78. I shall first present to you the elementary explanation
which this decomposition of the lines finds in the theory of electrons,
and by which it has even been possible to predict certain peculiarities
of the phenomenon.
We know already that, according to modern views, the emission
of light is due to vibratory motions of electric charges contained in
the atoms of ponderable bodies, of a sodium flame, for example, or
the luminescent gas in a vacuum tube. The distribution of these
1) P. Zeeman, Over dea invloed eener magnetisatie op den aard van het
door een stof uitgezonden licht, Zittinggversl. Amsterdam 5 (1896), p. 181, 242
[translated in Phil. Mag (5) 43 (1897), p. 226]; Doublets and triplets in the
spectrum produced by external magnetic forces, Phil. Mag. (5) 44 (1897), p. 55,
255; Measurements concerning radiation phenomena in the mao-netic field
ibid. 45 (1898), p. 197. " '
ELECTRON VIBRATING IN A MAGNETIC FIELD. 99
charges and their vibrations may be very complicated, but, if we wish
only to explain the production of a single spectral line, we can con-
tent ourselves with a very simple hypothesis. Let each atom (or
molecule) contain one single electron, having a definite position of
equilibrium, towards which it is drawn back by an "elastic" force,
as we shall call it, as soon as it has been displaced by one cause
or another. Let us further suppose this elastic force, which must
be considered to be exerted by the other pai'ticles in the atom, but
about whose nature we are very much in the dark, to be pro-
portional to the displacement. According to this hypothesis, which
is necessary in order to get simple harmonic vibrations, the compo-
nents of the elastic force which is called into play by a displacement
from the position of equilibrium, whose components are |, tj, t,, may
be represented by
-n, -h, -n,
where /" is a positive constant, determined by the properties of
the atom.
If m is the mass of the movable electron, we shall have the
equations of motion
whose general solution is
^ = a cos{n^t + p), t] = a cos (n^t+p),
t = a" COB in,t + p"), (154)
a, a, a", p, //, p" being arbitrary constants, and the frequency n^
of the vibrations being determined by
%=Vi- (155)
Let us next consider the influence of an external magnetic field H.
This introduces a force given by
-J[v-H], (156)
m which expression e denotes the charge of the electron and V its
velocity. If the magnetic force H is parallel to the axis of s, the
components of (156) are
^c 'dt ' e dt '
Hence the equations of motion become
«,i'i=_f£ + ^^^, (157)
" dt' '^^ e dt' ^ ^
7*
100 III. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFi'BCT.
m
m
^ = _/-«_«-"-^, (158)
df I '' c dt > ^ ^
dt^
= -a. (159)
79. The last equation shows that the vibrations in the direction
of 02^ are not affected by the magnetic iield, a result that was to
be expected, because the force (156) is 0, if the direction of V coin-
cides with that of H. The particular solution (154) therefore still
holds. As to the pair of equations (157) and (158), these admit of
two particular solutions, represented by the formulae
I = % cos(Wi< + 29i), ri= — a^s\Ta.{n^t + Pi) (160)
and
l = a.^Q.os{n^i-\-Pi), ri = a^^Bm{n^t-\-p^), (161)
in which the frequencies n^ and n^ are determined by
" '»,n^^n^' (162)
inc
and
v + S'*^ = ^o^ (163)
whereas a^, a^, p^ and ^^ are arbitrary constants.
Combination of (154), (160) and (161) gives a solution that
contains six constants and is therefore the general solution.
The two solutions (160) and (161) represent circular vibrations
in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field, and taking place in
opposite directions. The frequency n^ of one is higher (if eH, is
positive) and that of the other lower than the original frequency Wq.
The j)ossibility of these circular motions can also be understood by
a very simple reasoning. If the electron describes a circle with
radius r in a plane perpendicular to H^, and in a direction opposite
to that which corresponds to this force, there wiL. be, in addition
to the elastic force fr, an electromagnetic force
e| v|H,
c
directed towards the centre. Both forces being constant, the circular
orbit can really be described, and we have, by the well known law
of centripetal force.
or, since | v| = Mr,
J, , e I vl H. wv-
fr + ^-i - = — ,
/.,<■" H, ,
/ + - = mn'',
from which (162) immediately follows. The equation (163) can be
found in exactly the same way.
NATURE OF THE EMITTED LIGHT, 101
In aU real cases the change in the frequency is found to be
very smaU in comparison with the frequency itself This shows that,
even in the most powerful fields, ^ is very small in comparison
with iif,. Consequently, (162) and (163) may be replaced by
«i = % + ,' "% "., = % - o"^ ■ ( 1 64)
The points in the spectrum corresponding to these frequencies lie at
equal small distances to the right and to the left of the original
spectral line n^.
80. We have next to consider the nature of the light emitted
by the vibrating electron. The total radiation is made up of several
parts, corresponding to the particular solutions we have obtained, and
which we shall examine separately.
Our former discussion (§§ 39 — 41) of the radiation by an electron
shows that, if such a particle has a vibration about a point 0, along
a straight line L, the dielectric displacement at a distant point P
has a direction perpendicular to OP, in the plane LOP, and that,
for a given distance OP, its amplitude is proportional to the sine
of the angle LOP. The radiation wiU be zero along the line of vibra-
tion L, and of greatest intensity in lines perpendicular to it; mo-
reover, along each line drawn from 0, the light will be plane
polarized.
As to a circular vibration, such as is represented by the for-
mulae (160), its effect is the resultant of those which are produced
by the two rectiUnear vibrations along OX and OY, into which it
can be decomposed. We need only consider the state produced
either in the plane of this motion, or along a line passing through
the centre, at right angles to the plane. At a distant point P of the
plane, the light received from the revolving electron is plane pola-
rized, the electric vibrations being perpendicular to OP, in the plane
of the circle; if, for example, P is situated on OY, the vibration
along this line wiU have no effect, and we shall only have the field
produced by the motion along OX.
Both components of (160) are, however, effective in producing
a field at a point on the axis of the circle, i. e. on OZ, the first
component giving rise to an electric vibration parallel to OX, and
the second to one in the direction oi OY. It is immediately seen
that between these vibrations there is exactly the same difference
of phase as between the two components of (160) themselves, i. e.
a difference of a quarter period, and that their amplitudes are equal.
The light emitted along OZ is therefore circularly polarized, the
direction of the dielectric displacement rotating in the sense corre-
102 HI- THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFPECT.
spending to tlie circular motion of the electron. The formulae (160)
show that, for an observer placed on the positive axis of s, the
rotation of the electron takes place in the same direction as that of
the hands of a clock. From this it may be inferred that the rays
emitted along the positive axis by the motion (160) have a right-
handed circular polarization.
Similar considerations apply to the motion represented by (161).
The radiation issuing from it in the direction just stated has a left-
handed circular polarization. If it is further taken into account that
the frequency of the rays is in every case equal to that of the motion
originating them, one can dravt^ the following conclusions, which have
been fully verified by Zeeman's experiments.^)
Let the source of light be placed in a magnetic field whose
lines of force are horizontal, and let the light emitted in a horizontal
direction at right angles to the lines of force be examined by means
of a spectroscope or a grating. Then we shall see a triplet of lines,
whose middle component occupies the place of the original line.
Each component is produced by plane polarized light, the electric
vibrations being horizontal for the middle line, and vertical for the
two outer ones.
If, however, by using an electromagnet, one core of which has
a suitable axial hole, we examine the light that is radiated along the
lines of force, we shall observe only a doublet, corresponding in po-
sition to the outer lines of the triplet. Its components are both
produced by circularly polarized light, the polarization being right-
handed for one, and left-handed for the other.
81. After having verified aU this, Zeeman was able to obtain
two very remarkable results. In the first place, it was found that,
for light emitted in a direction coinciding with that of the magnetic
force, i. e., if H^ is positive, in that of OZ, the polarization of the
component of the doublet for which the frequency is lowest, is right-
handed This proves that, for a positive value of H^, the first of
the two frequencies given by (1G4) is the smaller. Therefore, the
charge e of the electron to whose motion the radiation has been
ascribed must be negative. This agrees with the general result of
other lines of research, that the negative charges have a greater mo-
bility than the positive ones.
The other result relates to the ratio between the numerical values
of the electric charge and the mass of the movable electrons. This
ratio can be calculated by means of the formulae (164), as soon as
the distance between the components, from which we can deduce
1) Note 43.
SERIES OF SPECTRAL LINES. 103
Wj — Mq, and tlie strength of the magnetic field have been measured.
The number deduced by Zeeman from the distance between the
components of the D- lines, or rather from the broadening of these
lines, whose components partly overlapped each other, was one of
the first values of — that have been published. In order of magni-
tude it agTees with the numbers that have been found for the nega-
tive electrons of the cathode-rays and the /3-rays.
Unfortunately, the satisfaction caused by this success of the
theoi-y of electrons in explaining the new phenomenon, could not last
long. It was soon found that many spectral lines are decomposed
into more than three components, four, six or even more^), and till
the present day, these more complicated forms of the Zeeman-effect
cannot be said to have been satisfactorily accounted for.
All I can do, will therefore be to make some suggestions as to
the direction in which an explanation may perhaps be looked for.
82. Before proceeding to do so, I may be permitted briefly to
mention some of the important results that have been found in the
examination of the distribution of spectral lines, such as they are in
the absence of a magnetic field. In the spectra of many elements
the lines arrange themselves in series, in such a manner that, for
each series, the fi-equencies of all the lines belonging to it can be
represented by a single mathematical formula. The first formula of
this kind was given by Balmer^) for the spectrum of hydrogen. After
him, equations for other spectra have been established by many
physicists, especially by Rydberg^) and by Kayser and Runge.*)
For our purpose it will be sufficient to mention some examples.
In the spectrum of sodium three series of double lines have
been found, which are distinguished by the names of principal series,
first subordinate or nebulous series, and second subordinate or sharp
series. We may also say that each of the three is composed of two
series of single lines, one containing the less refrangible, and the
other the more refrangible lines of the doublets.
1) In later researches a decompositioD into no less than 17 components
has been observed.
2) J. J. Balmer, Notiz uber die Spektrallinien des Wasserstoffs, Ann. Phys.
Chem. 26 (1885), p. 80.
3) J. R. Rydberg, Recherches sur la constitution des spectres d'emission
des elements chimiques, Svenska Vetensk. Akad. Handl. 23 (1889), No. 11; La
distribution des raies spectrales, Rapports pres. au Congrfes de physique, 1900,
2, p. 200.
4) H. Kayser u. C. Runge, tjber die Spektren der Alkalien, Ann. Phys.
Chem. 41 (1890), p. 302; Uber die Spektra der Elemente der zweiten Mende-
lejefr'schen Gruppe, ibid. 43 (1891), p. 385
104 IH- THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFPECT.
The frequency in these six series, measured by the number n
of wave-lengths in a centimetre, has been represented by Rydberg
by means of the formulae contained in the following table.
Principal series I A = ^-^-, - ^--A^-, , (165)
11 -- = - ~ - (166)
First subordinate (nebulous) series I ^ = jyt. — \i~\„^ArsY> (167)
" " " " ^^ W,^ (1 + (x,)* ~ l^-\rsy ' *-^^^)
Second subordinate (sharp) series I ^ = tt— r- — r^ — -, — xT-Ya ' 0-^^)
" " " " iV„ (l + fi-s,)' {m + ay ^ '
In these equations, N^, ftj, ^f.^, 6 and d are constants having the
values
N„ = 109675
iUi = 1,1171, ft2 = 1,1163, ^ = 0,9884, (? = 0,6498
and we shall find the frequencies of the successive lines in each
series by substituting for ni successive positive whole numbers. If,
in doing so, we get for n a negative value — n, this is to mean
that there is a line of the frequency u'.
83. I particularly wish to draw your attention to the following
remarkable facts that are embodied in the above formulae.
1. If the value of m is made continually to increase, that of ii
increases at the same time, converging however towards a finite
limit, corresponding to -m = oo, and given for the different series by
^. ^0 etc
ii + cr' (i+ft)^' ®'°-_
The lines of a series are not placed at equal distances from each
other; as we proceed towards the side of the ultra-violet, the lines
become crowded together, the series being unable, so to say, to
pass the limiting position of the line given by one of the above
numbers.
As to the number of lines that have been observed, this varies
from one series to the other. If the above formulae (or equations
of a similar kind) are the expression of the real state of things, the
number of lines is to be considered as infinitely great.
2. The frequencies of a doublet of the first subordinate series (I, II)
are obtained, if in (167) and (168) we substitute for jw the same
CONNEXION BETWEEN DIFFERENT SERIES. 105
mimber. These frequencies differ by
-^0 N„ _
whatever be the value of m. The same difference is found, if we
calculate the frequencies of a doublet of the second subordinate
series (I, II). Therefore, if the distance between two lines is measured
by the difference of their frequencies, the interval between the two
components is the same for aU the doublets of the first and of the
second subordinate series.
It is otherwise with the doublets of the principal series (I, II).
The distance between the two components is given by
■A quantity, which diminishes when m increases, and approaches the
limit for m = oo.
In connexion with this, it must be noticed that the convergence
frequency has the same value 77-1° ,, for the members I and II of
the principal series.
3. This is not the only connexion between different series.
The formulae show that the convergence frequencies are >, -.-"—.r, and
7 , " ,; , both for the first and the second subordinate series (I, II).
Finally, it is important to remark that, if in (165) and (166) we
put »« = 1, we get the same frequencies as from (169) and (170)
for the same value of m. The doublet with these frequencies can
therefore be considered to be at the same time the first of the prin-
cipal, and the first of the second subordinate series.
We may further say that the entire principal series I and the
entire sharp series I correspond to each other, being both charac-
terized by the constants fij and 0, and that there is a similar relation
between the principal series II and the sharp series II. In this
connexion it is proper to remark that the more refrangible lines of
the principal doublets correspond to the less refrangible ones of the
sharp doublets, and conversely. If, for example, fi^ is greater than [i^,
the first constant will give the larger frequency in the principal
series, and the lesser frequency in the second subordinate one.
4. Similar results have been obtained for the other alkali metals,
which also show series of doublets in their spectrum, and for magne-
sium, calcium, strontium, zinc, cadmium and mercury. Only, in the
spectra of these latter metals, one finds series, not of doublets but of
triplets. To the scheme given in the formulae (165) — (ITO), we have
106 HI. THEORY OF THE ZBEMAN-EFFECT.
therefore to add in this case:
Principal series III J = ^^-±^, _ ^-^^^^1^ ,
First subordinate series III ^ = tt-j^ — y — v . g y. ,
Second ,, ,, III -rr =
^0 (l+f's)' (m+ey
However, even thus the scheme is not yet complete. In the spectrum
of mercury, for example, there is a certain number of additional
lines, which closely accompany those of which we have just spoken,
and which are therefore often called satellites.
These again show certain remarkable regularities. They occur
in the first subordinate series (I, II, III), but not in the second sub-
ordinate one. In each triplet of the first series, there are three satellites
accompanying the first line of the triplet, two belonging to the
second, and one for the third, so that the triplet is really a group
of nine lines.
As to the principal series of the last named elements, I have
added them only for the sake of analogy. Principal series of triplets
have not yet been observed.
84. It is only for a comparatively small number of chemical
elements, that one has been able to resolve the system of their
spectral lines, or at least the larger part of them, into series of the
kind we have been considering. In the spectra of such elements as
gold, copper and iron, some isolated series have been discovered, but
the majority of their lines have not yet been disentangled. Never-
theless, it cannot be denied that we have made a fair start towards
the understanding of line spectra, which at first sight present a
bewildering confusion. There can be no doubt that the lines of a
series really belong together, originating in some common cause, and
that even different series must be produced by motions between which
there is a great resemblance.
The similarity of structure in the spectra of elements that re-
semble each other in their chemical properties, is also very striking.
The metals in whose spectra the lines are combined in pairs are all
monovalent, whereas the above series of triplets belong to divalent
elements. Perhaps the most remarkable of all is the fact, that Rydberg
was able to represent aU series, whatever be the element to which
they belong, by means of formulae containing the same number N^.
This equality, rigorous or approximate, of a constant occurring in
the formulae of the different elements, must of course be due to
some corresponding equality in the properties of the ultimate par-
DIVISION OP THE LINES OF A SERIES.
107
tides of which these elements consist, but at present we are whoUy
unable to form an idea of the nature of this similarity, or of the
physical meaning of the length of time corresponding to ^ -' •
-"0
85. The investigation of the Zeeman-effect for a large number
of spectral lines, to which many physicists have devoted themselves
of late years, has fully confirmed the hypothesis of an intimate con-
nexion between the different spectral lines of a substance; it has
furnished rich material for future research, but which, in the present
state of theory, we can understand only very imperfectly.
Before saying a few words of the results that have been obtained,
I must revert once more to the elementary theory of the triplets and
to the formulae (164) we deduced from it. These show that, if aU
spectral lines were split according to the elementary theory, and if,
in all cases, the ratio — had the same value, we should always ob-
serve triplets with the same difPerence of frequency between their
components. This is what, for the sake of brevity, I shall call an
equal splitting of the lines.
Now, the measurements of Runge and Paschen^) and other
physicists have led to a very remarkable result. Though there are
a large number of spectral lines which
are split into more than three components,
and though even the triplets that have
been observed, are not equal to each
other in the above sense, yet all lines
forming a series, i. e. all lines that can
be represented by one and the same
formula, are divided in exactly the same
way, and to exactly the same extent.
There seems to be no doubt as to the
validity of this general law.
In those series which consist of triplets or doublets, the mode
of division of the lines is in general different for the lines of one
and the same triplet or pair, but, according to the law just mentioned,
the same mode of division repeats itself in every triplet or every
doublet. Thus, in each triplet belonging to the second subordinate
n n n ;a
7% TV n.
n, 7-
!. p p n n.
n P rt
I'ig. 3.
1) Several authors have tried to establish formulae by which the distribu-
tion of the lines of a series can be represented still more accurately than by
those of Rydberg. See, for instance, W. Ritz, Ann. Phys. 12 (1903), p 264,
and E. E. Mogendorff, Amsterdam Proc. 9 (1906), p. 434.
2) C. Runge, tjber den Zeeman-Effekt der Serienlinien, Phys. Zeitschr. 3
(1902), p. 441; C. Runge u. F. Paschen, Uber die Strahlung des Quecksilbers
im magnetischen Felde, Anhang z. d. Abhandl. Akad. Berlin, 1902, p. 1.
7>
TV
P »
n
71,
n p p n
108 III. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-BFFECT.
series of mercury, the less refrangible line is split into nine com-
ponents, the middle line into six, and the most refrangible line into
three components. These divisions are shown in Fig. 3, in which the
letters |) and n mean that the electric vibrations of the line are
parallel or perpendicular to the lines of force.
Equal modes of division are found not only in the different
lines of one and the same series, but also in the corresponding series
of different elements. For example, the
lines Z'j andDg of sodium, which form
the first member of the principal series,
are changed into a quartet (Cornu's
quartet) and a sextet (Fig- 4), and the
first terms in the principal series of
copper and silver present exactly the
rig. 4. same division.
86. Vou see from all this that the phenomena are highly com-
plicated, and that there would be a bewildering intricacy, were it not
for the law which I have just pointed out to you, which reveals
itself in the decomposition of the lines of the same series, or of
corresponding series. Nor is this the only case in which a connexion
has been found between the Ze em an- effect for different lines. Fig. 3
shows another most remarkable regularity. The distances represented
in it can aU. be considered as multiples of one number, and the
same can be said of many of the displacements that have been observed
by Runge and Paschen in the spectrum of mercury. A similar
remark applies to the case of Fig. 4.^)
I should also mention that the interesting connexion between
the principal series and the second subordinate series of which we
have already spoken, is beautifully corroborated by the observations
of the Zeeman-effect. The more refrangible components of the doublets
of one of these series are split in the same way as the less refrangible
components of the doublets of the other.
Finally, it must not be forgotten that, although a very large
number of lines show a rather complicated Zeeman-effect, especially
those which belong to the series of which we have spoken, yet there
are also many lines which are changed into triplets by the action of
a magnetic field. In the recent work of Purvis, for example, no
less than fifty cases of this kind have been found in the spectrum of
palladium. I must add that many more lines of this element are
decomposed in a different way.
1) See on this question of the oommensurability of the magnetic separations
in different cases, C. Runge, tjber die Zerlegung von Spektrallinien im mao--
netischen Felde, Phys. Zeitschr 8 (1907), p. 232. °
SLNUFFIGIENCT OF THE ELEMENTARY THEORY, 109
87. It has already been mentioned that Zeeman's first deter-
mination of the ratio — led to a value of the same order of maffni-
tude as that which has been found for the electrons of the cathode
rays and the /3-rays of radium. Later measurements have shown,
however, that the distance between the components is not the same
in different triplets, and that therefore different values of " are found,
m '
if the formulae (164) are applied in aU cases. Though some triplets give
a value of — equal to the number found for free negative electrons,
the result is different in the majority of cases. This can be attributed,
either to real differences between the values of -, or to the imper-
fectness of the elementary theory. I believe that there is much to be
said in favour of the latter alternative. After all that has been said,
we cannot have much confidence in the formulae (164), but there are
strong reasons for believing in the identity of aU negative electrons.
88. If time permitted it, it would be highly interesting to con-
sider some of the hypotheses that have been put forward in order
to explain the structure of spectra and the more complicated forms
of the Zeeman -effect. There can be no difference of opinion as to
the importance of the problem, nor, I believe, as to the direction
in which we have to look for a solution. The liability of spectral
lines to be changed by magnetic influences undoubtedly shows, what
we had already assumed on other grounds, that the radiation of Kght
is an electromagnetic phenomenon due to a motion of electricity in
the luminous particles, and our aim must be to explain the observed
phenomena by suitable assumptions concerning the distribution of the
charges and the forces by which their vibrations are determined.
Unfortunately, though many ingenious hypotheses about the struc-
ture of radiating particles have been proposed, we are still very far
from a satisfactory solution. I must therefore confine myself to some
general considerations on the theory of the Zeeman-effect, and to
the working out of a single example which may serve to illustrate
them.
89. In the first place, we can leave our original hypothesis of
a single movable electron for a more general assumption concerning
the structure and properties of the radiating particles. Let each of
these be a material system capable of very small vibrations about a
position of stable equilibrium, and let its configuration be determined
by a certain number of generalized coordinates Pi, p^, ■ ■ ■, P^r We
shall suppose these to be chosen in such a manner, that they are
110 III. THEORY OF THE ZEBMAN-EFFECT.
in the position of equilibrium, and that the potential energy and
the kinetic energy are represented by expressions of the form
Then, Lagrange's equations of motion become
Wift = - fiPi > ^ih = -UPi, ■■■! ^f,i^, = - f^Pfr (I'^i)
Since each of these formulae contains but one coordinate, the changes
of one coordinate are wholly independent of those of the other, so
that each equation determines one of the fundamental modes of
vibration of the system. The frequencies of these modes, and the
positions of the corresponding spectral lines are given by
We shall now introduce an external magnetic force il, which of
course may be considered to be the same in all parts of our small
material system. In order to make this force have an influence on
the vibrations, we shall suppose the parts of the system to carry
electric charges, which are rigidly attached to them, so that the
position of the charges is determined by the coordinates p.
As soon as the system is vibrating, the charges are subjected
to forces due to the external magnetic field. These actions can be
mathematically described by the introduction into the equations of
motion of certain forces in the generalized sense of the word. Deno-
ting these forces by Pi, Pg, . . ., P , we shall have, instead of (171),
»%Pi =-fiPi + ^i, etc.
Without a knowledge of the structure of the vibrating system,
and of the distribution of its charges, it is of course impossible,
completely to determine Pj, Pg, .... One can show, however, that
the expressions for these quantities must be of the form
A = Cisft + c^ih + •■■ + %Pto
P2 = c^iPi + ^2sh -i + %Pf„ ' (173)
etc.,
where the constants c axe proportional to the intensity of the magnetic
field.^) Between these coefficients there are the following relations
Csi = — C12, C32 = — C23, etc. (174)
The proof of all this is very easy, if we remember the funda-
mental expression — [v • h] for the action of a field on a moving
1) Note U.
VIBRATIONS OF A CHARGED SYSTEM IN A MAGNETIC FIELD. lU
charge. The components of this action along the axes of coordinates
are linear and homogeneous functions of the components of the velo-
city V. Consequently, all the rectangular components of the forces
acting on the vibrating particle must be functions of this kind of
Pi} ih> • • •! P^ii because the velocity of any point of the system is a
linear and homogeneous function of these quantities. The same must
be true of the Lagrangian forces Pj, P^, . . ., P , because these are
linear and homogeneous functions of the rectangular components of
the forces.
In order to find the relations between the coefficients c, we have
only to observe that the work of the additional foi-ces Pj, P^, etc.
is 0, because the force exerted by the magnetic field on a moving
charge is always perpendicular to the line of motion. The condition
P^Pi + P,i>, + --- + P,P, = o,
to which we are led in this way, is the ground for the relations (174)
and for the absence of a term with p^ in the first of the equations
(173), of one with p^ in,' the second, etc.
90. The equations of motion
^iPi +fiPi = Ciik + f^iih H ^- %^P^o
etc.
can be treated by well known methods. Putting
l\ = q,^'"\ P2 = q,s"", ■■■, P,u = 9^^"", (175)
where n, q^, q^, ■ ■ ■, q^^ are constants, we find the (i equations
(/; - m^if) g-i - inc^^q^ — inc^^q^ ^wCj^.g,, = 0, |
- ^nc.,^1i. + (/"s— >>«2«^)?2 - *'«C23?3 i'>^%,% ^^'\ ^^'^^^
etc. J
If, from these, the quantities q^, q^, ■ ■ ■ , q^, are eliminated, the result
is an equation which determines the coefficient n. On account of the
relations (174), and the smallness of the terms with c^g, qj, etc., it
may be shown that the equation contains only n^, and that it gives /i.
real positive values for this latter quantity. Hence, there are ,u.
positive numbers n^', w/, . . . such that the resulting equation is
satisfied by
n = ± Wi', n = ± nj, . . . , n = ±n^.
For each of these values of n, the ratios between q^, q^, ..., q^
can be deduced from (176). Finally, if we take the real parts of
112 III. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-BFFECT.
the expressions (Hfi), we find (i fundamental modes of vibration,
whose frequencies are
It is easily seen from this that, if we do not assume any special
relations between the constants involved in our problem, there wiU
be no trace at all of the Ze em an- effect. In the absence of the
magnetic field we had p spectral lines, corresponding to the frequen-
cies %, n.2, . . ., w^,. The effect of the field is, to replace these by
the slightly different values n^, n^, ..., 11^,, so that the lines are
shifted a little towards one side or another, without being split into
three or more components.-'^)
91. The assumption that is required for the explanation of the
Zeeman-effect can be found without any calculation. Let us imagine,
for this purpose, a source of light placed in a magnetic field, and
giving in the spectrum a triplet instead of an original spectral line.
The components of this triplet are undoubtedly due to three modes
of motion going on in the interior of the radiating particles, and these
modes must be different from each other, because otherwise their fre-
quencies ought to be the same. Let us now diminish the strength of
the field. By this the components are made to approach each other,
perhaps so much, that we can no longer distinguish them, but the
three modes of motion will certainly not cease to be there. Only, their
frequencies are less different from each other than they were in the
strong field. By continually weakening the field, we can finally obtain
the case in which there is no field at all, but even then the three
modes of motion must exist. They still differ from each other, but
their frequencies have become equal.
The necessary condition for the appearance of a magnetic triplet
is thus seen to be that, in the absence of a magnetic field, thi-ee of
the frequencies n^ ,n^, . . ., n , corresponding to three different degrees
of freedom, are equal to each other, or, as I shall say for the sake
of brevity, that there are three equivalent degrees of freedom. Then,
the magnetic field, by which all the frequencies are changed a little,
produces a slight inequality between the three that were originally
equal. We can express the same thing by saying that only a spectral
line which consists of three coinciding lines can be changed into a
triplet, the magnetic field producing no new lines, but only altering
the positions of already existing ones.
1) Note 45.
SHARPNESS OP THE MAGNETIC COMPONENTS. 113
92. These conclusions, which one can easily extend to quartets,
quintets etc., are fully corroborated by the mathematical theory. If
originally
we shall have, under the influence of a magnetic field, the three
frequencies
Ml and Wi±4-l/-^^ + -^^+^^, (177)
indicating the existence of a symmetrical triplet, the middle Kne of
which has the position of the original spectral line. In a similar
manner it can be shown that we shall obsetve a quartet, a quintet,
etc., whenever the system has four, five or more equivalent degrees
of freedom. All these more complicated forms of division of a
spectral line are found to be symmetrical to the right and to the
left of the original position, so that, if the number of components is
odd, the middle one always occupies the place of the primitive line.^)
93. The existence of a certain number of equivalent degrees of
freedom is not the only condition to which we must subject the
radiating particles. The fact that the magnetic components of the
spectral lines have the same degree of sharpness as the original lines
themselves requires a further hypothesis. We can understand this
by reverting for a moment to the expression (177). In it, the coef-
ficients C23, C31, Cj2 are linear and homogeneous functions of the com-
ponents H^, y\y, H^ of the external magnetic force. Therefore, the
distance between the outer components of the triplet and the middle
one is given by an expression of the form
Van H/ + q,, H/ + ^33 H/ + 22,, H, H^ + 2q,, H^H, + 2q,, H,H,, (178)
in which q^, q^, ■ ■ ■ , q^, ■ ■ ■ are constants depending on the nature
of the vibrating particle. K, without changing the direction of the
field, its intensity is doubled, the distance between the lines will in-
crease in the same ratio. So far our formula agrees with experi-
mental results.^)
Let us now consider the tafluence of a change in the direction
of the magnetic field, the intensity | H | being kept constant. By
turning the field we shall give other values to H^, H^^, H., and also
to the expression (178). It is clear that the same change will be
brought about if, leaving the field as it is, we turn the radiating
particle itself. Hence, if the source of light contains a large number
of particles having all possible orientations, the distance (178) will
1) Note 46. 2) Note 47.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
114 III. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFFECT.
vary between certain limits, so that the outer lines of the observed
triplet, which is due to the radiation of all the particles together,
must be more or less diffuse.
Since it is difficult to admit that the particles of a luminous
gas, when subjected to a magnetic field, are kept in one definite
position, the only way of explaining the triplet with sharp outer com-
ponents seems to be^) the assumption that the coefficients in (178)
are such that the quadratic function takes the form
In this case, the influence of a magnetic field on the frequencies is
independent of the direction of the force relatively to the particle.
As regards this influence, the particle can then be termed isotropic.
The simple mechanism which we imagined in the elementary
theory of the Zeeman-efFect obviously fulfils the conditions to which
we have been led in what precedes. Indeed, a single electron which
can be displaced in all directions from its position of equilibrium,
and which is pulled back towards this position by a force indepen-
dent of the direction of the displacement, has the kind of isotropy
we spoke of just now. It has also three degrees of freedom, corre-
sponding to the displacements in three directions perpendicular to
each other.
94. The question now arises, whether we can imagine other,
more complicated systems fulfilling the conditions necessary for the
production of magnetic quartets, quintets etc. In order to give an
example of a system of this kind, I may mention the way in which
A. A. Robb^) has explained a quintet. For this purpose he supposes
that a radiating particle contains two movable electrons, whose posi-
tions of equilibrium coincide, and which are pulled towards this
position by elastic forces proportional to the displacements, and deter-
mined by a coefficient that is the same for both electrons. The
charges and the masses are also supposed to be equal. Robb does
not speak of the mutual electric action of the electrons, but he in-
troduces certain connexions between their positions and their motions.
If Pj and Pg are vectors drawn from the position of equilibrium
towards the two electrons, and fjg the vector drawn from the first
electron towards the second, these connexions are expressed by the
equations
1) See, however, Note 64.
2) A. A. Robb, Beitrage zur Theorie des Zeeman-Effektes, Ann. Pliys. 16
(1904j, p. 107.
VIBRATIONS OF CHARGED SPHERICAL SHELLS. 115
r,,^ = /c(r,^+r,^),
where fc is a constant. It is immediately seen that in all these
assumptions there is nothing that relates to a particular direction in
space. On account of this, the five different frequencies which are
found to exist under the influence of a magnetic force, are independ-
ent of the direction of this force, and a large number of systems
of the kind described would give rise to a quintet of sharp lines.
Robb has worked out his theory at a much greater length than
appears from the few words I have said about it, and it certainly is
very ingenious. Yet, his hypothesis about the connexions between
the two electrons seems to me so artificial, that I fear he has given
us but a poor picture of the real state of things.
95. The same must be said of an hypothesis which I tried many
years ago. After having made clear to myself that the vibrating par-
ticles must be isotropic, I examined the motions of systems surely
possessing this property, namely of uniformly charged spherical shells,
having an elasticity of one kind or another, and vibrating in a mag-
netic field. By means of the theory of spherical harmonics, the dif-
ferent modes of motion corresponding to what we may call the dif-
ferent tones of the shell, can easily be determined, and it was found
that each of the tones can originate in several modes of motion, so
that we can truly say that each spectral line (if the vibrations can
produce light) consists of a certain number of coinciding lines, this
number increasing as we pass on to the higher tones of the shell. The
calculation of the influence of an external magnetic force confirmed
the inference drawn from the general theory; if a certain frequency
can be produced in 3, 5 or 7 independent ways, the spectral line
corresponding to it is split into 3, 5 or 7 components.
For more than one reason, however, this theory of vibrating
spherical shells can hardly be considered as anything more than an
illustration of the general dynamical theorem; it cannot be said to
furnish us with a satisfactory conception of the process of radiation.
In the first place, if the series of tones of the shell gave rise to the
successive members of a series of spectral lines, the number of com-
ponents into which these are divided in a magnetic field ought to
increase as we proceed in the series towards the more refrangible
side. This is in contradiction with the results of later experience,
vhich has shown, as I already mentioned, that all the lines of a series
are split in exactly the same way.
116 ni. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFFECT.
In the second place, I pointed out that the spherical shells, when
vibrating in their higher modes, are very poor radiators. In these
modes the surface of the shell is divided by nodal lines into parts,
vibrating in different phases, so that the phases are opposite on both
sides of a nodal line. The vibrations issuing from these several parts
must necessarily destroy each other for the larger part by inter-
ference.
96. In the light of our present knowledge, a third objection,
which is a very serious one, may be raised. Though in the Zeeman-
effect the separation of the components is not exactly what it would
be, if in the formulae (164) the ratio — had the value that has been
deduced from experiments on cathode-rays, yet it is at least of the
same order of magnitude as the value which we should find in this
case. Hence, if we write ( — ) for the ratio deduced from the obser-
vations on cathode-rays, and if we use the symbol (=) to indicate
that two quantities are of the same order of magnitude, we have for
the distance between two magnetic components the general formula
On the other hand, the theory of the vibrating shells leads to
an equation of the form
•^"Hl;^' (180)
in which e^ is the charge and m^ the mass of the shell.
We may infer from (179) and (180) that
^ (=) (-)
an equation which shows that the properties of the charged sphere
cannot be wholly different from those of a free electron. Therefore,
as we know that the mass m.^ of such an electron is purely electro-
magnetic, we are led to suppose that the mass m^ of the shell is of
the same nature. This, however, leads us into a difficulty, when we
come to consider the frequencies of the vibrations. The relative
motions of the parts of the shell are in part determined by the electric
interactions of these parts, and even if they were wholly so, i. e. if
there were no „elasticity" of an other kind, the wave-lengths cor-
responding to the different tones as I have called them, would, on
the above assumption concerning the mass, be extremely small; they
would be of the same order of magnitude as the radius R^. They
would be still smaller if there were an additional elasticity. There-
THOMSON'S MODEL OF AN ATOM. 117
fore, as the radius B^ must certainly be very much smaller than the
wave-length of light, we can never hope to explain the radiation of
light by the distortional vibrations of spheres whose charge and
radius are such as is required by the magnitude of the Ze em an- effect.
97. It is clear in what way we can escape from the difficulty
I just now pointed out. We must ascribe the radiation, not to the
distortional vibrations of electrons, but to vibrations in which they
move as a whole over certain small distances. Motions of this kind
can exist in an atom which contains a certain number of negative
electrons, arranged in such a manner that they are in stable equili-
brium under the influence of their mutual forces, and of those that
are exerted by the positive charges in the atom. This conception is
very like an assumption that has been developed to a considerable
extent by J. J. Thomson^), and according to which an atom consists
of a positive charge uniformly distributed over a spherical space,
a certain number of negative electrons being embedded in this sphere,
and arranging themselves in a definite geometrical configuration.
In what follows, it will be found convenient to restrict the name
of electrons to these negative particles or, as Thomson calls them,
„corpuscles".
If the atom as a whole is uncharged, the total positive charge
of the sphere must be equal to the sum of the charges of the nega-
tive electrons; we can, however, also conceive cases in which this
equality does not exist.
It is interesting to examine the dimensions that must be ascribed
to a structure of the above kind. Let the mutual distances of the
electrons be of the same order of magnitude as a certain line I, and
let e be the charge of each electron. Then, the repulsion between
two electrons is of the same order as - — ^, and the change which
this force undergoes by a very small displacement d of one of the
corpuscles, is of the order
This change may be considered as an additional force that is called
into play by the displacement d. Hence, if we exclude those cases
in which a very large number of electrons produce additional forces
of the same direction, and also those in which the additional force
which is due to the negative electrons is compensated or far surpassed
by that which is caused by the positive charge, the total force by
1) J. J. Thomson, The corpuscular theory of matter, London, 1907.
chap. 6 and 7.
118 HI. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFPECT.
which an electron is pulled back towards its position of equilibrium
is given, as to order of magnitude, by the above expression. I shall
suppose the electrons to have the same radius B, charge e and mass m
as the free negative electrons, and I shall write X for the wave-length
corresponding to their vibrations. Now, by what precedes, we have
for the frequency
n^ (=) -, m y
or, on account of (72),
But
so that
'^^Hl¥
27CC
H=)p^
Putting A = 0,5 ■ 10~*cm, and introducing the value of B (§ 35), one
finds by this equation
I (=) 2,4 • 10-8 cm (_^ 1^6 . 105 jj.
This means that the electrons must be placed at distances from each
other that are very much larger than their dimensions, so that, com-
pared with the separate electrons, the atom is of a very large size.
Nevertheless, it is very small compared with the wave-length, for
according to the above data we have
;(=)5-l0-n.
One consequence of the high value which we have found for I : B is
that the electromagnetic fields of the electrons do not appreciably
overlap. This is an important circumstance, because, on account of '■
it, we may ascribe to each electron the electromagnetic mass m which
it would have if it were wholly free.
The value we have found for I is of about the same order of
magnitude as the estimates that have been formed of molecular
dimensions. We may therefore hope not to be on a wrong track if,
in the above manner, we try to explain the production of light by
the vibrations of electrons under the influence of electric forces.
98. It is easily seen that a number of negative electrons can
never form a permanent system, if not held together by some ex-
ternal action. This action is provided for in J. J. Thomson's model
by the positive sphere, which attracts all the electrons towards its
centre 0, and which must be supposed to extend beyond the electrons,
because otherwise there could be no true static equilibrium. As
NEGATIVE ELECTRONS IN POSITIVE SPHERE. 119
already stated, I shall use the same assumption, but I shall so far
depart from Thomson's ideas as to consider the density q, not as
constant throughout the sphere, but as some unknown function of
the distance r from its centre. The greater generality that is obtained
in this way will be seen to be of some interest. With a slight modi-
fication, our formulae might even be adapted to the case of electrons
attracted towards the point by some force /"(r) of unknown origin,
for any field of force that is symmetrical around a centre 0, can be
imitated by the electric field within a sphere in which the density p
is a suitable function of r.
However, I shall suppose q to be positive in all layers of the
sphere, and to decrease from the centre outward.
As is well known, the general outcome of the researches on the
a-rays of radio-active bodies and on the canal rays has been that
the positive electricity is always attached to the mass of an atom.*)
In accordance with this result, we shall consider the positive sphere
as having nearly the whole mass of the atom, a mass that is so
large in comparison with that of the negative electrons, that the
sphere can be regarded as immovable, while the electrons can be dis-
placed within it. The question as to whether the mass of the posi-
tive sphere is material or electromagnetic, can be left aside. Of course
the latter alternative must be discarded, if we apply to the positive
electricity a formula similar to the one we have formerly given for
the electromagnetic mass of an electron; on account of the large
radius of the sphere, the mass calculated by the formula would be
an insignificant fraction of the mass of the negative electrons. It
might however be that part of the charge is concentrated in a large
number of small particles whose mutual distances are invariable; in
this case the total electromagnetic mass of the positive charge could
have a considerable value.
99. Before passing on to a special case, some other remarks may
be introduced.
In the first place, an atom which contains N movable negative
electrons, wiU have 3N degrees of freedom. Consequently, if its
vibrations are to be made accountable for the production of one or
more series of spectral lines, the number of electrons must be rather
large. It ought even to be infinite, if a series really consisted of an
infinite number of lines, as it would according to Rydberg's equa-
tions. Since, however, these formulae are only approximations, and
since the lines that can actually be observed are in finite number,
I believe this consideration need not withhold us from ascribing the
1) See, however, Note 64.
120 in. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EPEEGT.
radiation of light to atoms containing a finite, thougli perhaps a rather
large number of negative electrons.
In the second place we shall introduce the condition that the
vibrating system must be isotropic. True isotropy, i. e. perfect
equality of properties in all directions, can never be attained by
a finite number of separated particles. It is only when we are con-
tent with the explanation of triplets, that no difficulty arises from
this circumstance, because in this case equality of properties with
respect to three directions at right angles to each other will suffice
for our purpose. Arrangements possessing this limited kind of iso-
tropy, can easily be imagined for different numbers of corpuscles, pro-
vided there be at least four of them. The electrons may be placed
at the angles of one of the regular polyhedra, or of a certain number
of such polyhedra whose centres coincide with that of the positive
sphere, and whose relative position presents a sufficient regularity.
Our final remark relates to the radiation emitted by the atom.
When we examined the radiation from a single electron we found
that it is determined by the acceleration. One can infer from this
that the radiation produced at distant points by an atom which
contains a number of equal vibrating electrons, and whose dimensions
are very small in comparison with the wave-length, is equal to that
which would take place if there were but one electron, moving with
an acceleration that is found by compounding all the individual
accelerations. In some cases, especially likely to occur in systems
presenting a geometrical configuration of high regularity, this resultant
acceleration is zero, so that there is no perceptible radiation at all, or
at least only a very small residual one, due to the fact that the
different electrons are not at exactly the same distance from the
outer point considered, and that therefore we have to compound the
accelerations, such as they are, not at one and the same instant, but
at slightly different times. Vibrations presenting the peculiarity in
question may properly be designated as ineffective ones.
100. We shall now occupy ourselves with a special case, the
simplest imaginable, namely that of four equal electrons A, B, C, D,
which, of course, are in equilibrium at the corners of a regular
tetrahedron whose centre coincides with the centre of the positive
sphere.-*-)
The fundamental modes of motion of this system can easily be
determined.^) In order to obtain simple formulae for the frequencies,
1) The Ze em an- effect in a system of this kind has already been examined
by J. J. Thomson, who, ho-wever, supposed the positive sphere to have a uni-
form volume-density.
2) Note 48.
VIBRATIONS OF A SYSTEM OF FOUR ELECTRONS. 121
I shall imagine a spherical surface to pass through A, B, C, D;
I shall denote by q the value which the density of the positive
charge presents at this surface, and by p,, the mean density in its interior.
I shall further introduce a certain coefficient m, which, in those
cases in which there is a Zeeman-effect, can be regarded as a
measure of it. We shall be concerned only with triplets, and the
meaning of ra is, that the actual separation of the components is
found, if the separation required by the elementary theory, for the
same value of - , is multiplied by co.
In the first fundamental mode, the four electrons perform equal
vibrations along the lines OA, OB, OC, OD, in such a way that,
at every instant, they are at equal distances from the centre 0. The
frequency of this motion, which is inefficient, and not affected by a
magnetic field, is determined by
n' = —
m ■
a formula which gives a real value for n, because q is positive and
e negative.
Other modes of motion are best described by choosing as axes
of coordinates the lines joining the middle points of opposite edges
of the tetrahedron, and by fixing our attention on two such edges,
for example on those which are perpendicular to OX Let these
edges be AB and CD, x being positive for the first, and negative
for the second.
The corpuscles can vibrate in such a manner that, at every
instant, the displacement of any one of them from its position of
equilibrium can be considered as made up of a component ji parallel
to OX and a transverse component, which for A and B is along
AB, and for G and D along GJ). CalKng the component j) positive
or negative according to its direction, which may be that of OX or
the reverse, and giving to the transverse displacement the positive
sign if it is away from OX, and the negative sign if it is directed
towards this line, we have for all the electrons
p = a cos nt,
for the transverse displacement of A and B
and for that of G and D
-g = - sp,
the constant s being determined by the equation
s = V 1/2 + 1/TT2VS (181)
122 ni. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFFECT.
where
2? — po
8(e-eo)
(182)
1
CO = —
[l - «-^ "
4
1
CO = -7-
L 1/2(1 + 20;^) J
4
L 1/2(1 + 2 ^^)J
The double sign in (181) shows that there are tivo modes of the
kind considered. These have unequal frequencies, for which I find
the formula
''" = - ifm { 6? - Po + 4 (P - Q,)V2{y+2v^)], (183)
and are both effectiYC for radiation, on account of the accelerations
of the electrons in the direction OX. The system will therefore
produce two lines L^ and ig i^ ^^ spectrum.
Now, it is immediately seen that, in addition to these two modes
of vibrating, which are related, as we may say, to the direction OX,
there are similar ones related in the same way to 01^ and OZ, so
that ij and L^ are triple lines, which can be split into three com-
ponents by a magnetic field. For Lj, the separation between the
outer components and the middle one is determined by
(184)
and for L^ by
(185)
Moreover, it can be shown that the state of polarization of the hght
producing the components of these triplets is the same which we
have deduced from the elementary theory, the radiation along the
lines of force again consisting of two circularly polarized beams of
different frequencies, the one right-handed and the other left-handed.
The modes of motion to which I have next to call your attention
may be described as a twisting of the system around one of the
axes OX, OY, OZ. The first of these modes is characterized by
small rotations of the lines AB and CD around the axis OX, the
direction of the rotation changing periodically for each line and being
at every instant opposite for the two lines. Since a twisting of this
kind around OZ can be decomposed into a twisting around OX and
one around 01", these motions constitute only two fundamental
modes. They are ineffective, and their frequency, which is given by
the formula
is not altered by a magnetic field.
We have now found nine fundamental modes of motion in all.
The remaining ones are rotations around one of the axes OX,
VIBRATIONS OF A SYSTEM OF FOUR ELECTRONS. 123
OY, OZ; these are not controRed by the internal forces we have
assumed, and cannot be caUed vibrations about the position of
equilibrium.
101. It is worthy of notice, that (186) always gives a real value
for n, and that the two frequencies determined by (183) are real too,
provided the value of p be greater than ~q^. When this condition
is fulfilled, the original state of the system is one of stable equilibrium.
If we adopt J. J. Thomson's hypothesis of a uniformly charged
sphere, we have Q = g^. In this case we can write instead of flSS),
(184) and (185) i) ^ ^'
2 m 3 TO '
1
05 = — Y or 1 .
102. Other cases in which a certain number of electrons have
a regular geometrical arrangement within the positive sphere, can be
treated in a similar way, though for a larger number of particles
the calculations become rather laborious. So far as I can see, the
liue of thought which we are now following promises no chance of
finding the explanation of a quartet or a quintet, so that, after all,
the progress we have made is not very important. The main interest
of the preceding theory lies in the fact, that it shows the possibility
of the explanation of magnetic triplets in which the separation of
the components is different from that of the triplets of the elementary
theory, as is shown by the value of a differing from 1. According
to our formulae, o can even have a negative value. In the above
example this means that, in the radiation along the lines of force,
the circular polarization of the outer components of the doublet can
be the inverse of what it would be according to the elementary
theory.^)
It is remarkable that negative electrons may in this way produce
a Zeeman-effect which the elementary theory would ascribe to the
existence of movable positive particles.
103. Shortly after Zeeman's discovery some physicists observed
that, just like the magnetic rotation of the plane of polarization, the
new phenomenon makes one think of some rotation around the lines
of force, going on in the magnetic field. There is certainly much to
be said in favour of this view. Only, if one means the hidden ro-
1) Note 49. 2) Note 60.
124 ni. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-BFFECT.
tations which some theories suppose to exist in the ether occupying
a magnetic field (and to which those theories must ascribe every
action of the field) a development of the idea lies outside the scope
of the theory of electrons as I am now expounding it, because, in
this theory, we take as our basis, without further discussion, the
properties of the ether which are expressed in our fundamental
equations. There is, however, a rotation of a different kind to which
perhaps we may have recourse in our attempts to explain Zeeman s
phenomenon.
Let us consider the interval of time during which a magnetic
field is set up in a certain part of the ether. While the magnetic
force H is changing, there are electric forces d, whose distribution
and magnitude are determined by our fundamental equations (2) and (5).
These are the forces which cause the induction current produced in
a metallic wire, and they may be said to be identical, though
presented in a modem form, with the forces by which W. Weber
explained the phenomena of diamagnetism, an explanation that can
readily be reproduced in the language of the theory of electrons.
I shall now consider the rotation they impart to a system of negative
electrons such as we have been examining in the preceding paragraphs.
In doing so, I shall suppose the positively charged sphere to have
so large a mass that it may be regarded as immovable, and I shall
apply to the system of negative electrons the laws that hold for a
rigid body; this will lead to no appreciable error, if the time during
which the magnetic field is started, is very long in comparison with
the periods of the vibrations of the electrons.
104:. I shall again confine myself to arrangements of the electrons
that are isotropic with respect to three directions at right angles to
each other. Then, if the axes of coordinates are drawn through the
centre in any directions we like, and if the sums are extended to
all the negative electrons of the system, we shall have
^x = ^y = ^s = 0.
Also, the moment of inertia will be the same with respect to any
axis through 0. We may write for it
Q = 2mK,
if
and we have I (187)
^^2/ = ^y^ = ^soc = 0.
The force acting on one of the electrons is given by
ed,, ed„, ed,,
dx dyj
ROTATION OF A PARTICLE IN A MAGNETIC FIELD. 125
and we find therefore for the components of the resultant couple
with reference to the point
e2{y^,-^^y), e^(^d, - a;tl,), e^(:rd^ - j/dj. (188)
By d we shall understand the electric force due to causes out-
side the system. On account of the small dimensions of the latter,
this force will be nearly constant throughout its extent, so that,
denoting by d^ the electric force at the centre, we may write
Substituting these values in the expressions (188), and bearing in
mind the equations (187), one finds
or, in virtue of the fundamental equation (5),
--KK, --Kin,,, --Kin^.
c ^' c y' c '
In order to find the components of the angular acceleration, we must
divide these expressions by § = 2mK. The result is
~ iinc ^' ~ 'imc v^ ~ 2mc "'
from which it at once appears that, after the establishment of a
field H, a system that was initially at rest, has acquired a velocity
of rotation
k = - ~ H. (189)
The axis of rotation has the direction of the magnetic field, and, if
e is negative, the direction of the rotation corresponds to that of the
field. It is interesting that the velocity of the rotation is independent
of the particular arrangement of the electrons, and that its frequency,
i. e. the number of revolutions in a time 2%, is equal to the change
of frequency we have calculated in the elementary theory of the
Zeeman- effect.
The same rotation would be produced if, after the setting up of
the field, the system were, by a motion of translation, carried into
it from an outside point. Once started, the rotation will go on for
126 ni. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFFEGT.
ever, as long as the field is kept constant, unless its velocity be
slowly diminished by the radiation to which it gives rise.^)
105. We shall now turn our attention to the small vibrations
that can take place in the system while it rotates. For this purpose,
we shaU introduce axes of coordinates having a fixed position in the
system, and distinguish between the motion with respect to these
axes, the relative motion, and the motion with respect to axes fixed
in space, which we may call the absolute one.
Let, for any one of the electrons, V be the absolute velocity,
q the absolute acceleration, q^ the part of it that is due to the
internal forces of the system, and (\^ the part due to the magnetic
field. Then, we shall have for the acceleration q' of the relative
motion, if we neglect terms depending on the square of the angular
velocity k, and therefore on the square of the magnetic force H,
q' = q-2[kv] = qi + q, -2[kv],
i. e. on account of (189),
q' = q. + q. + ,-;f^[H v].
Since
we find^)
me '
q =qi-
This shows that the relative motion is determined solely by the
internal forces of the system; it is identical with the motion that
could take place in a system without rotation and free from the
influence of a magnetic field. I shall express this by saying that in
the system rotating with the velocity which we calculated, there is
no internal Zeeman-effect, the word „internal" being introduced,
because, as we shall presently show, there remains a Zeeman-effect
in the external radiation. This effect is brought about by the same
cause that has made the internal effect disappear, namely by the
rotation of the particles.
106. We have already observed (§ 99) that a particle which
contains a certain number of equal vibrating electrons, and whose-
size is very small compared with the wave-length, will radiate in the
same way as a single electron of the same kind, moving with the
accelerations ^x, ^y , 2'^, the sums extending to all the separate
electrons, and x, y, s being their coordinates with respect to axes
1) Note .51. 2) Note .52.
ZEEMAN-EFFBCT DUB TO THE ROTATION OP A PARTICLE. 127
fixed in space. The accelerations will have these values if the co-
ordinates of the equivalent electron, as it may properly be called,
are given at every instant by ^x, ^y, "Ss.
In order to apply this theorem to the problem before us, I shall
again choose the centre of the positive sphere as origin of coordinates,
drawing the axis of s in the direction of the external magnetic
force H. Let OX and OF be fixed in space, and let OX', OY' be
axes rotating with the system; then, if h is the positive or negative
velocity of rotation around OZ, we may put
X = x cos kt — tf sin Id, \
, \ (190)
y = x' sin ht + y cos lit, J
since we may take Ttt for the angle between OX and OX'. Now,
if Xfl', 2/g', 5q' are the coordinates of one of the negative electrons in
its position of equilibrium, and a cos {nt-\-f), ^ cob (nt -\- g),
y cos (nt -\- h) the displacements from that position, due to the
internal vibrations, and referred to the moving axes, we shall have
for this particle
x'=Xq' + K cos (nt + f), y' = y^' + p cos {nt + g). (191)
Whereas the constants a, /3, f, g (and y, h) have different values for the
several electrons, the frequency n will have for all these corpuscles
a common value, equal to the frequency of the radiation in the
absence of a magnetic field.
Introducing the values (191) into the expressions (190) and
taking the sum for all the corpuscles, we shall find the coordinates
X, y of the equivalent electron. Since ^x^ = ^y^ =0, the result
may be put in the form
X = Xj + Xj, y = yi + 7i,
where
:s^ = A cos {(n + 'k)t + (p] , y^= A sm [{n -\- li)t -{- cp] ,
X2 = JJcos [{n-l)t+il>\, y^ = —Bsva.[{n-'k)t-\-il!),
A, B, q) and j/; being constants. These formulae show that, leaving aside
the vibration in the direction of OZ, which is entirely unaffected by
the field and the rotation, we can decompose the motion of the
equivalent electron into two circular motions in opposite directions,
performed with the frequencies n + h and n — I: Therefore, since
in virtue of (189) Ic is given by the equation
2mc' '
the Zeeman-effect in the radiation issuing from the rotating particle
exactly corresponds to that which we formerly derived from the
elementary theory for a particle without rotation.
128 III. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-EFFECT.
107. There are one or two points in this last form of the
theory that are particularly to be noticed.
In the first place, we can suppose the system of electrons within
the positive sphere to be capable of vibrating in different modes,
thereby producing a series of spectral lines. In consequence of the
rotation set up by the field, all these lines wUl be changed into
equal triplets, so that we have now found a case, in which aU the
lines of a series are divided, as they reaUy are, in the same way.
I may add that, according to the view of the phenomenon we are
now discussing, the Zeeman-effect is due to a combination of the
internal vibrations whose frequency is n, with the rotation of the
frequency k.
This calls forth a more general remark. It is well known that
in acoustic phenomena two tones with the frequencies n^ and Wg
are often accompanied by the so called combination-tones whose
frequencies are n^ + n^ and n^ — n^ respectively. Something of the
same kind occurs in other' cases in which a motion or any other
phenomenon shows two different kinds of periodicity at the same
time; indeed, on account of these, terms such as cos n.^i and cos n^t
wiU occur in the mathematical expressions, and as soon as the product
of two quantities having the two periods shows itself in the formulae,
the simple trigonometric formula
cos %^ COS n^t = -— cos (Wj + Mg)^ + ^ cos (n^ — n^)t
leads us to recognize two new frequencies n^ + '*2 ^^^ ''h ^ ^2-
Indeed, it is precisely in this way that, in the preceding paragraph,
the frequencies w + A; and n — li have made their appearance.
Many years ago, V. A.. Julius observed that certain regularities
in the spectra of elements may be understood, if we suppose the
lines to be caused by combination -tones, the word being taken in
the wide sense we can give it on the ground of what has just been
said. If, for example, there are two fundamental modes of vibration
with the frequencies n^ and n^ or, as we may say more concisely,
two „tones" n^ and n^, and if each of these combines with a series
of tones, so that secondary tones with frequencies equal to the diffe-
rences between those of their primaries are produced, we shall obtain
a series of pairs, in which the components of each pair are at the
distance n^ — n^ from each other.
In connection with this, it should also be noticed that, in
Rydberg's formulae, every frequency is presented as the difference
between two fundamental ones.
Of course it would be premature to attach much value to
speculations of this kind. Yet, in view of the fact that all lines of
SECONDARY VIBRATIONS. 129
a series undergo the same magnetic splitting, one can hardly help
thinking that all the fundamental modes of motion helonging to the
series are somehow combined with one or more periodic phenomena
going on in the magnetic field, as, in the example we have worked
out, they were combined with the rotation of the particles.
I may add that the form of Ryd berg's equations, in which each
frequency is represented as the difference of two terms, naturally
suggests the idea that under the influence of a magnetic field one
or both of these terms have their value changed, or rather, are replaced
by a number of slightly different terms, to each of which corresponds
a magnetic component. It is clear that if, for all lines of a series,
the part of ^ which they have in common, for instance the part
in the second subordinate series I (§ 82), is altered in the same way,
the other part — . .; remaining unchanged, the equality of the
Zeeman-effect for all the members of the series wiU be accounted for.
108. In the second place, it is important to remark that, for
the entire prevention of an internal Zeeman-effect, the rotation of
a particle as a whole must have exactly the velocity we have found
for it in § 104.
For other values of k, such as might occur if the rotating par-
ticle had a moment of inertia diS'erent from that which we formerly
took into account, q' would come out different from q^, so that the
relative motion of the electrons with respect to the rotating axes
would still be affected by the magnetic force. In such a case, in
order to find the Zeeman-effect as it becomes manifest in the
radiation, we should have to combine the internal motions with the
rotation, after the manner shown in § 106; the result would obviously
be a decomposition of the original spectral lines into more than
three components.
This seems rather promising at first sight, but it must be
admitted that one can hardly assign a reason for the existence of a
moment of inertia, different from the value used in § 104, and that
it would be very difficult to reconcile the results with Runge's law
for the multiple divisions of the lines.
109. The preceding theory of rotating radiating particles is
open to some objections. Besides the two cases mentioned in § 104,
a third must perhaps be considered as possible. In a Geissler
tube or a flame combinations and decompositions of minute particles
are no doubt continually going on; a radiating atom cannot there-
fore be supposed to have been in a free state ever since the magnetic
field was set up. Now, in atoms combined with other particles, the
Loreutz, Theory of electrons. 9
130 m. THEORY OF THE ZEEMAN-BFFECT.
mobility of the electrons might perhaps be so much diminished, that
the production of the field cannot make them rotate; since there is
no reason why they should begin to do so the moment the atoms
are set free, we can imagine in this way the existence in the mag-
netic field of free atoms without a rotation.
Another difficulty, which one also encounters in some questions
belonging to the theory of magnetism, arises from the fact that a
rotating particle whose charge is not quite uniformly distributed,
must necessarily, in the course of time, lose its energy by the
radiation that is due to the rotation itself. It is probable that
the time required for an appreciable diminution of the rotation
would be Tery long An exact determination of it would, however,
require rather complicated calculations.
110. After aU, you see by these considerations that we are
rather at a loss as to the explanation of the complicated forms of
the Zeem an -effect. In this state of things, it is interesting that
some conclusions concerning the polarization of the radiation can be
drawn from general principles, independently of any particular theory.
For this purpose we shall avail ourselves of the consideration of
what we may term the reflected image of an electromagnetic system.
Let iS be a system composed of moving electrons and material
particles, the motion of the former being accompanied by an electro-
magnetic field in the intervening ether. Then, a second system S',
which may be called the image of S with respect to a plane F, may
be defined as follows. To each particle or electron, and even to
each charged element of volume in S, corresponds an equal particle,
electron or element of volume in S', moving in such a way that the
positions of the two are at every instant symmetrical with respect
to the plane V; further, if P and P' are corresponding points, the
vector representing the dielectric displacement at P' is the image of
the corresponding one at P, whereas the magnetic forces in S and
S' are represented by vectors, one of which is the inverted image of
the other. On certain assumptions concerning the forces between the
electrons and other particles, which seem general enough not to
exclude any real case, the system S' can be shown to be a possible
one, as soon as S has an objective existence.
We shall apply this to the ordinary experiment for the
exhibition of the Zeeman-effect, fixing our attention on the rays that
are emitted along the lines of force, and placing the plane V parallel
to these lines. There are many positions of the plane fulfilling the
latter condition, but it is clear that, whichever of them we choose,
the image of the electromagnet will always have the same properties.
The same may be said, so far as the properties are accessible to our
POLARIZATION OF THE RADIATION. 131
observations, of the source of light itself; therefore, the radiation
too must be exactly the same in all systems that can be got by
taking the image of the experiment with respect to planes that are
parallel to the lines of force. From this we can immediately infer
that the light radiated along the lines of force can never show a
trace of rectilinear or elliptic polarization; it must either be un-
polarized, or have a circular polarization, partial or complete. This
conclusion also holds for the part of the radiation that is charac-
terized by a definite frequency, and is therefore found at a definite
point of the spectrum.
By a similar mode of reasoning we can predict that, in the
emission at right angles to the lines of force, there can never be
any other polarization, either partial or complete, but a rectilinear
one with the plane of polarization parallel or perpendicular to the
lines of force.
Finally, since the image of a magnetic field with respect to the
plane of which we have spoken, is a field of the opposite direction,
the state of radiation must be changed into its image by an inversion
of the magnetic force. At every point of the spectrum the direction
of the circular polarization will be inverted at the same time.
CHAPTER IV.
PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A BODY COMPOSED OF
MOLECULES.
THEORY OF THE INVERSE ZEEMAN-EFFECT.
111. In the preceding discussion we had in view the influence
of a magnetic field on the light emitted by a source of light. There
is a corresponding influence on the absorption, as was already shown
by one of Zeeman's first experiments. He found that the dark Hues
which appear in the spectrum of a beam of white light, passed
through a sodium flame, are changed in exactly the same way as
the emission lines of the luminous vapour, when the flame is exposed
to an external magnetic field. We can easily understand this inverse
phenomenon if we bear in mind the intimate connexion between the
emission and the absorption of light. According to the well known
law of resonance, a body whose particles can execute free vibrations
of certain definite periods, must be able to absorb light of the same
periods which it receives from without. Therefore, if in a sodium
fiame under the influence of a magnetic field there are three periods
of free vibrations instead of one, we may expect that the flame can
produce in a continuous spectrum three absorption lines corresponding
to these periods, and in general, if we want to know what kinds of
light are emitted by a body imder certain circumstances, we have
only to examine the absorption in a beam of light sent across it.
A highly interesting theory based on this idea has been deve-
loped by Voigt.^) It has the advantage of being applicable to bodies
whose density is so great that there is a certain mutual action
between neighboring molecules, a case in which it is rather difficult
directly to consider the emission of light.
Voigt's theory was not originally expounded in the language
of the theory of electrons, his first method belonging to those which
1) W. Voigt, Arm. Phys. Chem. 67 (1899), p. 346; 68 (1899), p. 362, 604;
69 (1899), p. 290; Ann. Phys. 1 (1900), p. 376, 389; 6 (1901), p. 784; see also
his book: Magneto- und Elektrooptik, Leipzig, 1908.
MEAN VALUES. 133
I have formerly alluded to, in whicli one tries to describe the observed
phenomena by judiciously chosen differential equations, without
troubling oneself about the mechanism underlying them. However,
in order not to stray from the main subject of these lectures, I shall
establish Voigt's equations, or rather a set of formulae equivalent
to them, by applying the principles of the theory of electrons to the
propagation of light in a ponderable body considered as a system of
molecules.
These formulae are also interesting because by means of them
we can treat a number of other questions, relating to the velocity
of propagation and the absorption of light of different frequencies.
It will be well to begin with some of these, deferring for some time
the consideration of the action exerted by a magnetic field.
112. Let us imagine a body composed of innumerable molecules
or atoms, of „particles" as I shall term them, each particle con-
taining a certain number of electrons, all or some of which are set
vibrating by an incident beam of light. Between the electrons and
in their interior there will be a certain electromagnetic field, which
we could determine by means of our fundamental equations, if the
distribution and the motion of the charges were known; having
calculated the field, we should also be able to find its action on the
movable electrons, and to form the equations of motion for each of
them. This method, in which the motion of the individual electrons
and the field in their immediate neighborhood and even within
them, would be the object of our investigation, is however wholly
impracticable, when, as in gaseous bodies and liquids, the distribution
of the particles is highly irregular. We cannot hope to follow
in its course each electron, nor to determine in all its particulars
the field in the intermolecular spaces. We must therefore have
recourse to an other method. Fortunately, there is a simple way of
treating the problem, which is sufficient for the discussion of what
can really be observed, and is indeed suggested by the very nature
of the phenomena.
It is not the motion of a single electron, nor the field produced
by it, that can make itself felt in our experiments, in which we are
always concerned with immense numbers of particles ; only the resultant
effects produced by them are perceptible to our senses. It is to be
expected that the irregularities of which I have spoken, will disappear
from the total effect, and that we shall be able to account for it,
if, from the outset, we fix our attention, not on all these irregularities,
but only on certain mean values. I shall now, proceed to define these.
113. Let P be a point in the body S a sphere described
around it as centre, and qp one of the scalar or vector quantities
134 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
occurring in our fundamental equations. Then the mean value of g)
at the point F, which we shall denote by ^, is given by the equation
f = -qJ fiiS,
in which S means the volume of the sphere, and the integration is
to be extended to this volume. The elements dS are to be taken
infinitely smaU in the mathematical sense of the words, so that even
an electron is divided into many elements. As to the sphere S, it
must be chosen neither too small nor too large. Since our purpose
is to get rid of the irregularities in the distribution of q), the sphere
must contain a very large number of particles. On the other hand,
we must be careful not to obliterate the changes from point to point
that can really be observed. The radius of the sphere must there-
fore be so small that the state of the body, so far as it is accessible
to our means of observation, may be considered as uniform throughout
the sphere. In the problems we shall have to deal with, this means
that the radius must be small compared with the wave-length. For-
tunately, the molecular distances are so much smaller than the length
of even the shortest light-waves, that both conditions can be satisfied
at the same time.
114. The mean value ^, taken for a point P, is in general a
function of the coordinates of this point, and if (p itself depends
upon the time, ip will do so too. We can easily infer from our
definition the relations
dcp dcp df dq>
dx~dx> • ■' Jt^Jt'
by which the transition from our fundamental equations to the
corresponding formulae for the mean values is made very easy. Of
course, the mean values of the quantities on the right -and on the left-
hand side of an equation must be equal to each other, so that all
we have got to do, is to replace d, h, etc. by their mean values.
The resultant fonnulae, viz.
rot h = — (d + pv)
and
rot d = h,
may be considered as the general electromagnetic equations for the
ponderable body; they are comparable with those of which we spoke
in § 4. In order to bring out the similarity, I shall put
GENERAL EQUATIONS FOR MEAN VALUES . 135
and
h = H.
It only remains to examine the term pv. According to our definition
of mean values, we have for the components of this vector, if x,
y, s are the coordinates of an element of the moving charges at the
time t,
or, if we suppose the surface of the sphere not to intersect any
electrons.
We have formerly seen that I QxdS, j Qi/dS, j QZdS are the com-
ponents of the electric moment of the part of the hody to which
the integration is extended. Hence, ^ / QxdS and the two corre-
sponding expressions with y and z are the components of the electric
moment of the body per unit of volume.^) We shall represent this
moment, or, as it may also be termed, the electric polarization of the
body, by P Thus
PV = P,
and
d + 9V = E + P.
Simplifying stOl further by putting
E + P = D, (192)
we are led to the equations
rotH = -D, (193)
c
rotE = -|H, (194)
which have exactly the form of those of which we spoke in § 4.
If we like, we may now call E and D the electric force and the
dielectric displacement, D the displacement current. This exactly
agrees with common usage; only, in our definition of these vectors,
one clearly sees the traces of our fundamental assumption that the
system is made up of ether and of particles with their electrons.
Thus, E is the mean force acting on a charge that is at rest. The
total dielectric displacement D consists of two parts, the one E having
its seat in the ether, and the other P in the particles. Corresponding
1) Note 63.
136 IV. PROPAGATION OP LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
to these, we distinguish two parts in the current D; the first, E is
the mean of the displacement current in the ether, and the second
the mean of the conyection current qV.
115. To complete our system of equations we must now
examine the relation between D and E, or rather that between P
and E. This is found by considering the way in which the electric
moment in a particle is produced or changed.
Let us suppose that each particle contains a single movable
electron with charge e and mass m, and let us denote by |, tj, ^ the
distances over which it is displaced from its position of equilibrium
in the directions of the axes of coordinates. The components of the
electric moment of a single particle are
and, writing N for the number of particles per unit volume, we have
P, = Ne^, ?,j = Neri, ?.^ = Nei, (195)
if the particles have a regular geometrical arrangement. If, on the
contrary, they are irregularly distributed, so that the values of the
displacements |, y], t, change abruptly from one particle to the next,
we may use the same equations, provided we understand by |, t], t,
mean values taken for all the particles situated in a space that is
infinitely small in a physical sense. A similar remark applies to
other quantities occurring in the equations we are going to establish
for the motion of the electrons.
116. The values of |, rj, g, and consequently those of P^, P^,, P^,
depend on the forces acting on the movable electrons. These are of
four different kinds.
In the first place we shall conceive a certain elastic force by
which an electron is pulled back towards its position of equilibrium
after having been displaced from it. We shall suppose this force to
be directed towards that position, and to be proportional to the
displacement. Denoting by /' a certain positive constant which
depends on the structure and the properties of the particle, we write
for the components of this elastic force
-n, -h, -ft (196)
The second force is a resistance against the motion of the
electron. We must introduce some action of this kind, because
without it it would be impossible to account for the absorption
which it is one of our principal objects to examine. Following the
example given by Helmholtz in his theory of anomalous dispersion,
FORCES ACTING ON AN ELECTRON. 137
with which the present investigation has many points in common,
I shall take the resistance proportional to the velocity of the electron,
and opposite to it. Thus, if </ is a new positive constant, the com-
ponents of the second force are
-«% -of,' -«§■ (li")
We shall later on return to this question.
117. We have next to consider the force acting on the electron
on account of the electromagnetic field in the ether. At first sight
it may be thought that this action is to be represented by eE. On
closer examination one finds however that a term of the form aeP
is to be added, in which a is a constant whose value is little different
from •^. I shall not enter upon the somewhat lengthy calculations
that are required for the determination of this additional force. In
order to explain why it is introduced, I have only to remind you
of the well known reasoning by which Kelvin long ago came to
distinguish between the magnetic force and the magnetic induction.
He defined these as forces exerted on a pole of unit strength, placed
in differently shaped infinitely small cavities surrounding the point
considered. The magnetically polarized parts of the body outside the
cavity turn their poles more or less towards it, and thus produce on
its waUs a certain distribution of magnetism, whose action on an in-
side pole is found to depend on the form of the cavity.
In the problem before us we can proceed in an exactly similar
manner. The general equations (33) — (36) show that the electro-
magnetic field is composed of parts that are due to the individual
particles of the system, so that, if some of these were removed, the
motion of the electrons in the remaining ones being left unchanged,
a part of the field would be taken away. We must further take into
account that each component of d or h belonging to the field that
is produced by a certain number of particles, is obtained by an
addition of the corresponding quantities for the fields due to each of
the particles taken separately. The sum may be replaced by an
integral in those cases in which the discontinuity of the molecular
structure does not make itself felt. If we want to know the field
produced at a point J. by a part of the body whose shortest distance
from A is very great compared with the mutual distance of adjacent
particles, we may replace the real state of things by one in which
the polarized matter is homogeneously distributed.
AU this can also be said of the magnetized particles one has to
consider in Kelvin's theory, though the cases are diS'erent, because
the formulae (§ 42) for the field produced by a variable electric
138 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES,
moment are less simple than those which determine the action of a
constant molecular magnet. The formulae however much resemble
each other if the point for which the field of a particle is to be
determiaed, lies at a distance from it that is small compared with
the wave-length. In this case the field can be approximately con-
sidered as an electrostatic one, such as would exist if the electric
moment did not change in the course of time.
Around the particle A for which we wish to determine the
action exerted on the electron it contains, we lay a closed surface (?,
whose dimensions are infinitely small in a physical sense, and we
conceive, for a moment, all other particles lying within this surface
to be removed. The state of things is then exactly analogous to the
case of a magnet in which a cavity has been formed. There will be
a distribution of electricity on the surface, due to the polarization of
the outside portion of the body, and the force E', exerted by this
distribution on a unit charge at A must be added to the force E
which appears in (194).
Now, if the particles we have just removed are restored to their
places, their electric moments will produce a third force E" in the
particle A, and the total electric force to which the movable electron
of A is exposed, will be
E + E' + E"
It is clear that the result cannot depend on the form of the cavity 6,
which has only been imagined for the purpose of performing the
calculations. These take the simplest form if ^ is a sphere. Then
the calculation of the force E' leads to the result^)
E' = |P
The problem of determining the force E" is more difficult. I shall
not dwell upon it here, and I shall only say that, for a system of
particles having a regular cubical arrangement, one finds ^)
E" = 0,
a result that can be applied with a certain degree of approximation
to isotropic bodies in general, such as glass, fluids and gases. It is
not quite correct however for these, and ought to be replaced in
general by
E" = sP,
where, for each body, s is a constant which it will be difficult
exactly to determine.
1) Note 54. 2) Note 66.
EQUATIONS OF MOTION OF AN ELECTRON. 139
Putting
a = I + s,
we find for the electric force acting on an electron
E + aP.
118. The last of the forces we are enumerating occurs in
magneto-optical phenomena; it is due to the external magnetic field,
which we shall denote by the symbol Q, in order to distinguish it
from the periodically changing magnetic force H that is due to the
electric Tibrations themselves'), and occurs in our equations (193)
and (194).
In all that follows we shall suppose the external field ^ to
haye the direction of the axis of z. Then its action on the vibrating
electron, which in general is represented by
has the components
e§ dri e§ (£|
c dt' c dt'
0,
where Q is written instead of ^^.
Taking together all that has been said about the several forces,
we find for the equations of motion of the movable electron contained
in a particle
^dt^-^^^y^"'^y) '*' 9 dt c dt'
(198)
119. Another form of these equations will be found more con-
venient for our purpose.
In the first place, instead of the displacements of the movable
electron, we shall introduce the components of the electric polari-
zation P- Taking into account the relations (195), dividing the
formulae (198) by e, and putting
i^^ = -'^ 1.7^ = A ^. = 9, (199)
1) Note 66.
140 IV. PROPAGATION OP LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES,
one finds
,a!P._F , p _,.p _„'SP^ ^^dPy
m
(200)
These equations may be further transformed, if, in our investigation
of the propagation of simple harmonic vibrations, we use the well
known method in which the dependent variables in the system of
equations are first represented by certain exponential expressions with
imaginary exponents, the real parts of these expressions, to which
one has ultimately to confine oneself, constituting a solution of the
system.
Let E be the basis of natural logarithms, and let aU dependent
variables contain the time only in the factor
SO that n is the frequency of the vibrations.
Then, if we put
a = f — a — m'n^,
(201)
/3 = ng,
(202)
^ cNe'
(203)
all real quantities, the formulae (200) take the form
E. = (« + ^/3)P.-^>P,/
E, = (« + '/3)P, + ^yP., (204)
E, = (« + i/3)P,.
Since P = D — E, these equations may be said to express the relation
between E and D which we have to add to the general formulae
(193) and (194).
120. Before coming to solutions of our system of equations,
it will be well to go into some details concerning the cause by which
the absorption is produced. We have provisionally admitted the
existence of a resistance proportional to the velocity of an electron,
which is represented by the terms —'J-f., —g-ri, ~9^ in (198)
'' cit (it dt
and by the terms i/3P^, jj3P,^, ijiP^ in (204). It must be observed,
however, that in our fundamental equations there is no question of
a resistance of this kind; as we have formerly seen, an electron can
move for ever through the ether with undiminished velocity. In our
RESISTANCE TO THE MOTION 141
considerations we have come across only one force that may be
termed a resistance, namely the force
which is proportional to the rate of change of the acceleration. In
the case of simple harmonic vibrations, its components can be re-
presented in the form (197), with the following value of the coefficient
^=S- (206)
Some numerical data which I shall mention later on, show however
that this force (205) is much too small to account for the absorption
that is really observed in many cases. We must therefore look for
some other explanation.
It has occurred to me that this may be found in the assumption
that the vibrations in the interior of a ponderable particle that are
excited by incident waves of light, cannot go on undisturbed for ever.
It is conceivable that the particles of a gaseous body are so pro-
foundly shaken by their mutual impacts, that any regular vibration
which has been set up in them, is transformed by the blow into the
disorderly motion which we call heat. The rise in temperature
produced in this way must be due to a part of the energy of the
incident rays, so that there is a real absorption of light. It is also
clear that the accumulation of vibratory energy in a particle, which
otherwise, in the case of an exact agreement between the period of
the vibrating electrons and that of the incident light, would never
come to an end, will be kept within certain limits by this disturbing
influence of the collisions, just as well as it could be by a resistance
in the ordinary sense of the word.
In working out this idea, one finds that the formulae we have
established in what precedes may still be used, provided only we
understand by g the quantity i)
9-^-^, (207)
in which t is the mean length of time during which the vibrations
in a particle can go on undisturbed. Since we can use the same
formulae as if there were a real resistance, it is also convenient to
adhere to the use of the latter term, and to speak of the resistance
originating in the collisions, this resistance becoming greater when
the interval % is diminished.
According to the above idea, the interval r ought, in gaseous
bodies, to be equal to the mean length of time elapsing between two
1) Note 67.
142 IV. PROPAGATION OP LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OP MOLEGDLES.
successive encounters of a molecule. Unfortunately, it is found that
the value of t deduced from experimental data is smaller than the
interval between two encounters. We must conclude from this that
there are causes in the interior of a molecule by which the regularity
of the vibrations is disturbed sooner than it would be by the molecular
impacts. We cannot pretend therefore to have satisfactorily elucidated
the phenomenon of absorption; its true cause remains yet to be
discovered.
121. Leaving aside for some time the effects produced by a
magnetic field, we shall now examine the propagation of light in the
case § = 0, y = 0. Let us first suppose that there is no resistance
at all, so that (3 is likewise 0. Then the formulae (204) may be
written
E = «P,
from which we deduce
D = (i + 1)E. (208)
Let the propagation take place in the direction of OZ, so that
the components of E, D and H are represented by expressions con-
taining the factor
£'■"('-5*), (209)
where g' is a constant. Then, since all differential coefficients with
respect to x and y vanish, we have by (193) and (194)
3« c 8t
and
8E^ ^ 1 gHy
8z c 8t '
or
gH^ = |D,, 2E, = |h,,
whence
Combining this with (208), we get
cV=l+-^- (210)
Supposing 1 + — to be positive, we find a real value for q. The
real part of (209) is
cosn(t — qz),
from which it is seen that the velocity of propagation is
_i_
~ 2 '
DISPERSION OF LIGHT. 143
It can therefore be calculated by means of the equation (210), for
which we may write
if
2 1 I ^
c
u, = —
is the index of refraction.
It is to be noticed that our result agrees with Maxwell's well
known law, according to which the refractive index of a body is
equal to the square root of its dielectric constant. Indeed, the
equation (208) shows that the ratio between the dielectric displace-
ment D and the electric force E is given by 1 -| ; it is therefore
this quantity which plays the part of the dielectric constant or the
speciiic inductive capacity in Maxwell's equations.
122. In one respect, however, the theory of electrons has enabled
us to go further than Maxwell. You see from the equation (201)
tbat, for a given system, a is not a constant, but changes with the
frequency .n. Therefore, our formulae contain an explanation of the
dispersion of light, i. e. of the fact that different kinds of light have
not the same refractive index.
This explanation is very much like that which was proposed by
several physicists who developed the undulatory theory of light in
its original form in which the ether was considered as an elastic
body. Sellmeyer, Ketteler, Boussinesq and Helmholtz showed
that the velocity of light must depend on the period of the vibra-
tions, as soon as a body contains small particles which are set
vibrating by the forces in an incident beam of light, and which are
subject to intramolecular forces of such a kind that they can perform
free vibrations of a certain definite period. The amplitude of the
forced vibrations of these particles, which is one of the quantities
determining the velocity of propagation, wiU largely depend on the
relative lengths of their ovm period of vibration and the period of
the light falling on them. The theory of the propagation of light
in a system of molecules which has been here set forth, is based on
the same principles as those older explanations of dispersion, the
only difference being that we have constantly expressed ourselves in
the terms of the electromagnetic theory, and that the small particles
imagined by Sellmeyer have now become our electrons.
If we conceive a single particle to be detached from the body,
so that it is free from all external influence, and if we leave out of
account the resistance which we have represented by means of the
coefficient g, the equations of motion (198) simplify to
144 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OP MOLECULES.
from which it appears that the electron can perform free vibrations
with a frequency w^ determined by
Introducing this quantity, and using (199), we may write instead of
(201), if we put a = ^,
a = min,^-n^) - | = ^(V"'^^) - | " (^H)
The index of refraction is therefore determined by
^^-1 = ^- (212)
TO , . „. 1
The value of fi derived from this formula is greater than 1, if
the frequency n is so far below that of the free vibrations w, that
the denominator is positive; if this condition is satisfied, we can
further conclude that (i increases with the frequency. This agrees
with the dispersion as it is observed in transparent bodies, at least
if we suppose that in these the frequency n^ corresponds to rays in
the ultra-violet part of the spectrum.
123. As a further application of our results we can take the
old problem of the connexion between the index of refraction fi of
a transparent body, and its density q. As is well known, Laplace
inferred from theoretical considerations, based on the form the
undulatory theory had in his time, that, when the density of a body
is changed, the expression
^ (213)
should remain constant. In most cases the observed changes of the
refractivity do not at all conform to this law, and it has been found
that a better agreement is obtained if Laplace's rule is replaced by
the empirical formula
^^^^ = const. (214)
The electromagnetic theory of light leads to a new form of the re-
lation. Indeed, by a slight modification, (212) becomes
TO . 2 „, /i'-|-2
For a given body and a given value of n, the expression
(1^ + 2
RELATION BETWEEN REFRACTIVITT AND DENSITY. 145
must therefore be proportional to the number of molecules per unit
volume, and consequently to the density.
This result had been found by Lorenz^) of Copenhagen some
time before I deduced it from the electromagnetic theory of light,
which is certainly a curious case of coincidence.
124. In a certain sense the formula may be said to be much
older. Putting in (201) w = and, as before, a = y, we find for the
case of extremely slow vibrations, or of a constant field
_^, _£__/; J^
"~' 3 "~ JVe^ 3 ■
The corresponding value of the ratio 1 -| between D and E is
1
B=l +
_L 1
Ne^ 3
This, therefore, is the value of the dielectric constant for our system
of molecules, a result which we could also have obtained by a direct
calculation.
Now, the last formula shows that, when N is changed, the value of
i — X
remains constant. Hence, the relation between the dielectric constant
and the density q is expressed by
/ I o, = const.,
(s + 2)e '
a formula corresponding to one that was given long ago by Clau-
sius and Mossotti. Substituting in it Maxwell's value
£ = ii\ (215)
we find the relation
7-fe^ = const. (216)
In this way, however, the formula is only proved for the case of
very slow vibrations, to which Maxwell's law (215) may be applied,
whereas our former deduction shows that it holds for any value
of n, i. e. for any particular kind of light we wish to consider.
125. Let us now compare our formula with experimental results.
Of course I can only mention a few of these. I shall first consider
the changes in the refractivity of a gas produced by pressure, and
1) L. Lorenz, Uber die Refraktionskonstante, Ann. Phys. Chem. 11 (1880),
p. 70.
Ijorentz, Theory of electrons. 10
146 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OP MOLECULES.
in the second place the change in the refractivity that is brought
about by the passage of a liquid to the gaseous state. In both
cases I shall compare the results of our formula with those that can
be deduced from the empirical formula (214). As to Laplace's law,
we need no longer speak of it, because in aU cases it is much less
satisfactory than either of the two other formulae.
The refractive index of air up to high densities has recently
been measured with considerable accuracy by Magri.^) Some of
his results are contained in the following table, together with the
values of ^ and -r^i~i;^ ■
3 Q (fi,' + 2)e
Temperature
Density
Refractive index
3 Q
'''-' .10'
(^^ + 2)9
0"
1
1,0002929
1953
1953
14,6
14,84
1,004338
1919
1947
14,3
42,13
1,01241
1964
1959
14,4
69,24
1,02044
1968
1961
14,5
96,16
1,02842
1970
1961
14,5
123,04
1,03633
1969
19.o6
14,8
149,53
1,04421
1971
1956
14,9
176,27
1,05213
1972
1953
You see that with the formula (216) the agreement is somewhat
better than with the empirical relation (214).
The difference between the two comes out still more markedly,
if we compare the refractive index of a vapour with the value we
can deduce from that of the liquid by means of (214) or of (216).
In the following small table, which relates to sodium light, the index
of the liquid is given for 15", and that of the vapour for 0" and
760 mm. This means that the observed values of fi have been reduced
to the density which the vapour would have at 0" and under atmo-
spheric pressure, if it followed the laws of Boyle and Gay-Lussac.
The reduction can be made either by (214) or by (216), the two
formulae being equally applicable to the small changes in question.
Liquid
Density
Index of
refraction
Vapour
Density
Index of refraction
Obs.
Calculated
by (214)
Calculated
by (216)
Water
Bisulphide of car-
bon
Ethyl ether . . . .
0,9991
1,2709
0,7200
1,3337
1,6320
1,3558
0,000809
0,00341
0,00332
1,000250
1,00148
1,00152
1,000270
1,00170
1,00164
1,000250
1,00144
1,00151
1) L. Magri, Der Brechungsindex der Luft in seiner Beziehung zu ihrer
Dichte, Phys. Zeitschr. 6 (1905), p. 629.
REFRACTIVITY OF A MIXTURE. 147
Other measurements which can be taken as a test for the two
formulae are those of the indices of refraction of various bodies at
different temperatures, or when submitted to different pressures. As
a general rule, neither equation (214) nor (216) is found to repre-
sent these measurements quite correctly, the disagreement between
the observed values and the calculated ones being of the same order
of magnitude in the two cases, and generally having opposite direc-
tions. In most cases our formula leads to changes in the refractivity
that are slightly greater than the observed ones; moreover, the devia-
tions increase as one passes on to higher values of n.
As to the cause of this disagreement, it must undoubtedly be
looked for, partly in the fact that the term a in equation (201) is
not exactly equal to -^, partly also in changes that take place in
the interior of the particles when a body is heated or compressed.
These changes can cause a variation in the value of the coefficients
f and f.
126. A problem closely connected with the preceding one is
that of calculating the refractivity of a mixture from the refractivities
of its constituents. Following the same line of thought that has led
us to equation (212), but supposing the system to contain two or
more sets of molecules mixed together, one finds the following for-
mula'), in which r^, r^, ... are the values of
^ (217)
(^^ + 2)9
for each of the mixed substances, taken separately, and m^, m^, . . .
the masses of these substances contained in unit of mass of the mixture
-^ff^r^ ^ '"''''' + '^2»-2 + • • • • (218)
This equation is found to hold as a rough approximation for various
liquid mixtures. The same may be said of a similar equation that
is often used for calculating the value of
127. It is very important that these formulae for mixtures can
also serve in many cases for the purpose of calculating the refracti-
vity of chemical compounds from that of the constituting elements.
Let us consider a compound consisting of the elements s^, s^, ...,
and let us denote hj Pi, P2, ■ ■ • their atomic weights, by g^, q^, ...
the numbers of the different kinds of atoms in a molecule, and by
P = ilPl + Q2P2-\
1) Note 58.
10*
148 IV. PROPAGATION OP LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OP MOLECULES.
the molecular weight of the compound. Then, the amounts of s^,
s^, ... in unit of mass will be
and (218) becomes
^WT2Ji = QiPi^'i + ^iP2^2 + ■■■■ (219)
Hence, if for each element we call the product of the constant (217)
by its atomic weight p the refraction equivalent, and if we under-
stand by the refraction equivalent of the compound the product of
the value of (217) relating to it by the molecular weight P, we are
led to the simple rule that, in order to find the refraction equivalent
of the compound, we have only to multiply the refraction equivalent
of each element by the number of its atoms in the molecule, and to
add the results. A large number of physicists and chemists who
have determined the refractivities of many compounds, especially of
organic ones, have found the rule to be approximately correct.
128. The general meaning of this result will be obvious. When
we find that some quantity which determines the refractivity of a
compoimd is made up of a number of parts, each of which belongs
to one of the elements, we may conclude that, in the propagation of
light, each element exerts an influence of its own, which is not disturb-
ed by the influence of the other elements. In the terms of our theory,
this amounts to saying that the electric vibrations going on in a beam
of light, in so far as they take place in the ponderable matter, have
their seat in the separate atoms, the motions in one atom being more
or less independent of those in the other atoms of the same molecule.
We may suppose, for example, that each atom contains one
movable electron, which, after a displacement from its position of
equilibrium, is puUed back towards it by an elastic force having its
origin in the atom itself, and determined therefore by the properties
of the atom. If we take this view, it is easy so to change the
equations for the propagation of light that they can be applied to
a system of polyatomic molecules.
129. Let us distinguish the quantities relating to the separate
atoms of a molecule by the indices 1, 2, . . ., Jc. Let e^, gg, . . .
be the charges of the movable electrons contained in the first, the
second atom etc., m-,, m.^, ... their masses, g^, i]^, g,, I2, 1;., g^; . .
the components of their displacements from their positions of equili-
brium, /i, f.^, . . the coefficients determining the intensities of the
elastic forces. Then, if the resistances are left out of account, and
liEFRACTrVITY OF A CHEMICAL COMPOUND.
149
if there is no external magnetic field, we shall have for each molecule,
not one set of equations of motion of the form
dt"
etc..
(which is got from (198) if we put ^ = 0, § = 0), but h sets of
this form:
m
m,
1 dt''^ = ^1 <^^^ + «PJ - /i ^1 , etc.
8 dt^
(220)
e2(E^ + aPJ-/'2l2, etc.
etc.
The total electric polarization P of the body wiU now be the sum
of the electric moments due to the separate atoms; its components are
P,j = N(e,7], + e,^,+ -..), (221)
For a determinate value of the frequency n we can deduce
from (220), (221) and (192) the relation between E and D. Combi-
ning it with the equations (193) and (194), one finds the following
formula, corresponding to (212), but more general than it, for the
index of refraction f/.^).
Ne,
+
Ne,
+
(222)
It is thus seen that, according to our new assumptions, the value of
2,„ remains proportional to N, and therefore to the density of the
body. Moreover, if we denote by ftj, /Xg, ... the refractive indices
for the cases that unit volume of our system contains only N atoms
of the group 1, or N atoms of the group 2, etc., we have
Consequently, (222) may be written
Sif.-m.n")'
^^-1
ft'
which is but another form of the relation (219).
130. I need hardly observe that the assumptions we have made
are at best rough approximations to the true state of things. We
1) Note 69.
150 IV. PROPAGATION OP LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OP MOLECULES.
haye supposed, tlie elastic force by wliicli the movable electron of an
atom is puUed towards its position of equilibi-ium, to arise from
actions wliicli are confined to the atom itself. Now^ there is at all
events an interaction of an electric nature between neighboring
atoms, precisely on account of the displacements of their electrons;
there may also be other interactions about whose nature we are as
yet entirely in the dark. On these grounds we must expect greater
or smaller deviations from the law of the refraction equivalent,
deviations from which one may one day be able to draw some con-
clusions concerning the structure of a molecule.
One important result in this direction was already obtained by
Briihl.^) He found that a double chemical binding between two atoms
has a striking influence on the refractivity, which can be taken into
account, if, in the formula (218), we add a term of proper magnitude
for each double bond.
Like many other facts, this shows that our theory of the
propagation of light in ponderable bodies is to be considered as
rather tentative. I must repeat however that, undoubtedly, the actions
going on in the separate atoms must be, to a large extent, mutually
independent. If they were not, and if, on the contrary, the elastic
force acting on an electron ought to be attributed, not to the atom
to which it belongs, but to the molecule as a whole, the refractive
index of a compound body would be principally determined by the
connexions between the atoms, and not, at it is, by their individual
properties.
131. At the point which we have now reached, it is interesting,
once more to return to the theory of the dispersion of light, and to
ask what the general formula (222) can teach us about it. To begin
with, it may be observed that, if s is the value of H-i — , we shall
have
„2_ 1 + 2*'
)
from which it is readily seen that, when s continually changes from — ^
to 1, [i^ increases from to oo. If s remains confined to this inter-
val, as I shaU for the moment suppose it to do, /i changes in the
same direction as s, having the value 1 for s = 0.
The latter case occurs for iV=0, i. e. when there are no ponderable
particles at aU, so that the propagation takes place in the ether alone.
This state of things is altered by the presence of the electrons, to
3) See, for instance, J. W. Briihl, The development of spectro-chemistry,
Pioc. Royal Institution, 18, 1 (1906), p. 122.
DISPERSION OF LIGHT.
151
which the different terms on the right-hand side of (2-22) relate.
Now, each of these electrons has a definite period of its own, in
which it can perform its free vibrations. If the frequencies of these
are n^, n^, etc., we shall have
and
n.' =
,(i^ + 2 3j»i(w,'
+
Ne,
SjKj {n^' — n')
^^ +
(223)
The influence of an atom is thus seen to depend on whether the fre-
quency of the rays for which we wish to determine [i, lies below or
above the frequency of the free vibrations. Each group of electrons
tends to raise the value of ^ and consequently that of ft, for aU
frequencies below its own, and to lower the refractive index for all
higher frequencies.
As a function of n, each term of (223) can be graphically
represented by a curve of the form shown in Fig. 5, in which OP
corresponds to n^, Wj, . . ., as the case may
be, and we shall obtain the curve for
' ; I ^ by taking the algebraic sum of the
ordinates in the individual curves L^ , L.^ . etc.
The form of the resultant line wiU
be determined by the values of n^, n^, etc.
or, as one may say, by the position in —
the spectrum of the lines that would be ^
produced by the free vibrations of the
electrons, and which we may provisionally
call the spectral lines of the body. If, as
we go from left to right, we pass one of
these lines, the ordinate of the correspon- Fig. 5.
ding curve suddenly jumps from + oo
to — oo. Of course aU these discontinuities are repeated in the re-
sultant dispersion curve, and near each of the values n^, n^, . . . of the
frequency there wiU be a portion of the curve, in which s first
changes from -f 1 to -}- oo, and then from — oo to — ^. It may
be assumed that these portions, which I shall call the discontinuous
parts of the curve, have a breadth that is very smaR in comparison
with the remaining parts, of which I shall speak as the continuous ones.
Since all the curves L^, L^, etc. rise from left to right, it is
clear that each continuous portion of the resultant curve must pre-
sent the same feature. This agrees with the dispersion as it exists
in all transparent substances.
152 IV- PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
The question as to whether, for a definite value of the frequency,
the index of refraction is greater or less than 1, depends on circum-
stances. If all the spectral lines of the body lie in the ultra-violet,
the refractive index will be larger than 1 throughout the infra-red
and the visible spectrum. It may remain so in the visible part, even
if there are one or more infra-red lines, provided only there be also
lines in the ultra-violet, whose influence in raising the refractive index
predominates over the opposite influence of the lines in the infra-red.
At aU. e rents, the dispersion of light observed in all transparent
bodies requires for its explanation the existence of one or more lines
in the ultra-violet.
132. We could now enter upon a comparison of our dispersion
formula with the measurements of the indices of refraction, but I
shall omit this, because we must not attach too much importance to
the particular form which we have found for the equation. By
slightly altering the assumptions on which it is based, it would be
possible to find an equation of a somewhat different form, though
agreeing with (223) in its main features. There is, however, one
consequence resulting from the preceding theory, to which I should like
to draw your attention. If the frequency n is made to increase in-
definitely, an the terms on the right-hand side of (223) approach
the limit 0; hence, for very high frequencies, we shall ultimately
have s = 0, and n = 1, the reason being simply, that the electrons
cannot follow electric forces alternating with a frequency far above
that of their free vibrations. The remark is important, because it ex-
plains the fact that the Rontgen rays do not suffer any refraction
when they enter a ponderable body. These rays, though not con-
stituted by regular vibrations, are in all probability produced by a
very rapid succession of electromagnetic disturbances of extremely
short duration.
133. Thus far we have only spoken of the continuous parts of
the dispersion curve. In each of its discontinuous portions, as we
have defined them, the right-hand side of (223) has values ranging
from -t- 1 to + <x>, and from — oo to — |. These values lead to
negative values of [i^, and to imaginary values of fi itself, indicating
thereby that waves of the corresponding frequencies cannot be pro-
pagated by the body in the same way as those whose wave-length
corresponds to a point in one of the continuous parts of the curve.
We need not however any further discuss the meaning of our
formulae in this case, because, for frequencies very near n^, n^, . . .
the resistance to the vibrations, and the absorption due to it may no
longer be neglected. We must therefore now take up the subject
ABSORPTION OF LIGHT. 153
of the absorption of light. Not to complicate matters too much, I
shaU do so on the assumption, which we originally started from, that
each particle contains a single movable electron.
If, in the equations (204), the resistance coefficient /3 has a
certain value, and if there is no external magnetic field, we may write
E = (« + i/3)P.
This gives
■J-^ + P^l^ + c^.l^-
On the other hand, the equations deduced in § 121 from (193) and
(194) remain unchanged, so that we find, instead of (210),
'^V=l + ^- (224)
The constant q in the expression (209) now becomes a complex
quantity. It is convenient to put it in the form
« = i-4' (225)
V and h being real. Then^ (209) becomes
— kz-\-in\t 1
E \ '/,
and if, in order to find the expressions for the vibrations, we take
the real parts of the complex quantities by which the dependent
variables E^ etc. have first been represented, we are led to expres-
sions of the form
E-'" cos n{t — -^+p^, (226)
where p is a, constant. The meaning of the first factor is, that the
amplitude of the vibrations is continually decreasing as we proceed
in the direction of propagation. The light is absorbed to a degree
depending on the coefficient fc, which I shaU call the index of ab-
sorption. On the other hand, the second factor in (226) shows that
V is the velocity with which the phase of the vibrations is propagated ;
the ratio — , for which I shall write ft, is therefore properly caUed
the refractive index.
Substituting (225) in (224), and separating the real and the
imaginary parts, one finds the following equations for the deter-
mination of V (or ,u) and h^')
^ + '7^ + 1;^+^' (227)
-§^ ' oj^-f (3
2f.^ = ]/l
2^'=l/l^lSf-,^-l- (228)
1) Note 60.
154 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
134. The discussion of these formulae, which in general would
be rather complicated, can be considerably simplified by the assump-
tion that /3 is much larger than 1.
This is true in the majority of cases, because in nearly aU bodies
the absorption in a layer whose thickness is equal to one wave-length
in air, i. e. to , is very feeble, even for those frequencies for
which the absorption is strongest. According to (226) the amplitude
diminishes in the ratio of 1 to
£ n ,
while the beam travels over a distance . Therefore, for the
bodies in question,
clc
must be a very small number. Now, if we consider the particular
frequency for which a = 0, (228) becomes
2?' = l/i + i-i-
If this is to be very smaU, /J must be a large number.
Availing ourselves of this circumstance, we find the following
approximate equations ^)
For a given value of /3 the fraction
has its greatest value -g- for a = 0. For « = + 13 it has sunk to half
this maximum value, and for « = + vj3 to , „ , — r-:^. If we under-
stand by v a moderate number (say 3 or 6) the absorption can be
said to be very feeble, in comparison with its maximum intensity,
for values of a beyond the interval extending from — v/J to -(- vj3.
135. These different cases succeed each other as we pass
through the spectrum, and even, notwithstanding the high value we
have ascribed to /3, the transition from ~ v^ to + v/S can take
place in a very narrow part of it. If we suppose this to be the
1) Note 61.
BEEADTH AND INTENSITY OF AN ABSORPTION BAND. 155
case, the factor g- in (230), and the factor n in (202) may be con-
sidered as constants. Moreover, in virtue of (201), if w^' is the
frequency for which « = 0, we may write for any other value of a
in the interval in question
a = _ 2 m'<(w - V)- (231)
I have written n^' for the frequency corresponding to a = 0, because
its value
differs from the frequency
of the spectral line of a detached molecule of which we have formerly
spoken. It is only when we may neglect the coefficient a, that the
two may be considered as identical.
The phenomena which the system of molecules produces in the
spectrum of a beam of white light which is sent across it, are as
follows. There is an absorption band in which the place of greatest
darkness corresponds to
n = Wq'.
The distribution of light is symmetrical on both sides of this point.
As the band has no sharp borders, we cannot ascribe to it a definite
breadth; we can, however, say that it is seen between the places
where « = — v^ and « = + v/3, v being a number of moderate
magnitude. Measured by a difference of frequencies, half the width
can therefore be represented by
as is seen from (231).
We may add an interesting remark about the intensity of the
absorption. The maximum value of the index of absorption is found
to be
n
and the formulae (202j, (199) and (207) show therefore that the maxi-
mum is the larger, the smaller the resistance, or the longer the time r
durinc which the vibrations of the electrons remain undisturbed. This
result, strange at first sight, can be understood, if we take into con-
sideration that the vibrations which are set up in 'a particle by optical
resonance, so to say, with the incident Hght, wiU be sooner or later
converted into an irregular heat motion. It may very well be, that
156 IV- PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
the total quantity of heat developed per unit of time is larger when
vibratory energy is stored up during a long time, and then suddenly
converted, than in a case in which the disturbances take place at
shorter intervals.
In another sense, however, the absorption may be said to be
intensified by an increase of the resistance g, or by a shortening of
the time x. Not only wiU a change of this kind enlarge the breadth
of the absorption line; it will also heighten the total absorption,
i. e. the amount of energy, all wave-lengths taken together, that is
taken up from an incident beam.-')
As a general rule, observation really shows that narrow absorp-
tion bands are more intense in the middle than broad ones.
136. In Fig. 6 the curve FGH represents the index of ab-
sorption as a function of the frequency. The other curve ABODE
relates to the index of refraction; it corresponds to the formula (229).
The index ^, which is 1 at large distances
on either side of the point P, rises to a
maximum QB, and then sinks to a mini-
mum i?jD. The place of the maximum
is determined by a = j3, or
n = '
2 m n^ '
that of the minimum by « =
w = Wo + s— ' — ' ,
fi, or
the corresponding values of (i being
1 + ^
and 1 —
4^
The maximum and the minimum are found at points of the spectrum
where the index of absorption has half its maximum value.
In the line ABODE one wiU have recognized already the well
known curve for the so-caUed anomalous dispersion. I must add that,
if we had supposed, as we did in § 128, the particles of the system
to be composed of a certain number of atoms, each containing a
movable electron, and if we had assumed a resistance for every
electron, we should finally have found a dispersion curve in which
a part of the form ABODE repeats itself in the neighborhood
of each free vibration. These parts would take the place of the
discontinuous portions that would exist in the curve for the func-
tion (223).
1) Note 62.
PfiOPAGATION ALONG THE LINES OF FORCE. ]57
137. The effect of an external magnetic field on the propagation
of light in the direction of the lines of force can be examined by-
calculations much resembling the preceding ones. We have again to
use the equations (192), (193) and (194), but we must now combine
them with the formulae (204). Since, in these latter, the force §
has been supposed to have the direction of OZ, a beam of light
traveRing along the lines of force can be represented by expressions
containing the factor (209). We are again led to the equation
to which we must now add the corresponding formula
which there was no occasion to consider in the preceding case. Using
(192), we find
P^=(cV-l)E,, P^=(cV-l)E„
and the first and the second of the equations (204) become
(232)
1
c'2
■3^-(« + i^)|P,= + tyP,,
showing that
P,= + iP,. (233)
Thus, there are two solutions, corresponding to the double sign. In
order to find out what they mean, we must remember that, if two
variable quantities are given by the real parts of
a£«(«'+p) and a^£»(««+p+2'^»)^ (234)
i. e. if they are represented by
a Q.o^{nt -{■ p) and ar cos(w< -f-p + 23ts),
the number r determines the ratio between the maximum values or
amplitudes, whereas s is the phase-difference expressed in periods.
Since rs^"*', the ratio between the expressions (234), becomes + i,
when we take
r=\, s = + i-,
equation (233) shows that P^, and P have equal amplitudes and that,
between their variations, there is a phase-difference of a quarter period.
The same may be said of the displacements | and 7] of one of the
movable electrons, these quantities being proportional to P^ and P^^.
We can conclude from this that each electron moves with constant
velocity in a circle, whose plane is perpendicular to OZ, the motion
having one direction in the solution corresponding to the upper sign,
and the opposite direction in the other solution.
158 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SfSTEM OP MOLECULES.
Similarly, the vector P has a uniform rotation in a plane at
right angles to OZ, and the same is true of the vectors E and D.
Each of our solutions therefore represents a beam of circularly pola-
rized light, and it is easily seen that, when the real part of ^ has the
positive sign (so that the propagation takes place in the direction of
the positive s) the upper signs in our formulae relate to light whose
circular polarization is right-handed, and the under signs to a left-
handed polarization.
Now, if we substitute the value (233) in either of the formulae
(232), we obtain the following condition for the coefficient q:
«V = 1+^^, (235)
from which, if we introduce the value (225), the index of absorption
and the velocity v, or the index of refraction fx, can be calculated.
138. It is not necessary to write down the expressions for these
quantities. Comparing (235) with our former equation (224), we
immediately see that the only difference between the two is, that a
has been replaced by a + j'. Now, in a narrow part of the spectrum,
y may be considered as a constant. Therefore, if we use right-handed
circularly polarized light, the values of li and ft which correspond to a
definite value of a must be the same as those which we had for the
value tt -\- y in the absence of a magnetic field. On account of the
relation (231), we can express the same thing by saying that,
in the neighborhood of the frequency n^, the values of ju, and Ic
for a frequency n are, under the influence of the magnetic force §,
what they would be without this influence for the frequency
im'nJ '
The absorption curve for a right-hand ray is therefore obtained by
shifting the curve FGH of Fig. 6 over a distance
— , (236)
2 m w^
the displacement being in the direction of the increasing frequencies,
when this expression is positive, and in the opposite direction, when
it is negative. For the left-hand ray we find an equal displacement
in the opposite direction.
It is clear that the inverse Zeeman effect is hereby explained.
If a beam of unpolarized light, which we can decompose into a right
and a left-handed beam, is sent through the flame, we shaR get in its
spectrum both the absorptions of which we have spoken. If the
distance (236) is large enough in comparison with the breadth of the
region of absorption, we shall see a division of the dark band into
PROPAGATION AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE LINES OP FORCE. 159
two components. It is especially interesting that the disphicement
(236), for which by (203) and (199) we may write
cNe ' Ne^ '^ 2toc '
exactly agrees with the value we found in the elementary theory of
the direct Zeeman effect. Our result also accords with our former
one as to the direction of the effect. When we examined the emission
in the direction of the magnetic lines of force, we found that the
light of the component of highest frequency is left-handed, if e is
negative. Our present investigation shows that for light of this kind,
if e is again supposed to be negative, the absorption band is shifted
towards the side of the greater frequencies.
139. The propagation of light in a direction perpendicular to
the lines of force can be treated in a similar way. If the axis of x
is laid in the direction of propagation, the axis of z being, as before,
in the direction of the field, and if we assume that the expressions
for the components of E, D, P and H contain the factor
x + in tt 1
k win again be the index of absorption, and v the velocity of pro-
pagation.
Now, it is immediately seen that these quantities are not in the
least affected by the magnetic field, if the electric vibrations of the
beam are parallel to the lines of force, for in this case we have only
to combine the last of the equations (204) with the relations
D, = E, + P
z>
dx ~ e dt ' dx e dt '
which are included in (192) — (194). Since none of these formulae
contains the external force §, we may at once conclude that the
magnetic field has no influence on the electric vibrations along the
lines of force.
As to vibrations at right angles to these lines, I must point out
a curious circumstance. The variable vectors being periodic functions
of the time, and depending only on the one coordinate x, the con-
dition
div b = 0,
which foUows from (193), requires that
D, = 0. (237)
160 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
We can express this by saying that the electric vibrations have
no longitudinal component, meaning by „electric vibrations" the
periodic changes of the vector D. But our result by no means ex-
cludes values of E^ and P^ different from 0, so that, if the denomi-
nation of electric vibrations is applied to the fluctuations of the
electric force E, or of the polarization P, the vibrations cannot be
said to be transversal.
The formula (237) is very important for the solution of our
problem. Writing it in the form
E. + P. = 0,
we can deduce from (204), combined with (192),
p = ^y ., P , (238)
{l + a + ipf-vl
V
The condition
J_ 3'Dy ^ g^Ey
which follows from (193) and (194), will therefore be fulfilled if
\v n) c^ ■ (l+a + i^)(a + «(3) — y'' ^ ^
This is the equation by which the velocity of propagation and the
index of absorption can be calculated. At the same time, the ratio
between P^ and P may be taken from (238). If. for this ratio we
find the complex value rs^"'' (§ 137), so that
P = rF^"'" P
the amplitudes of P^ and P are as r to 1, and there is a phase-
difference measured by s between the periodic changes of the two
components. The quantities r and s also determine the ratio of the
amplitudes and the difference of phase for the vibrations along OX.
and Y into which the motion of one of the movable electrons can
be decomposed. Generally speaking, in the case now under considera-
tion, the path described by each electron is an ellipse in a plane
perpendicular to the lines of force. Since r and s vary with the
frequency, the form and orientation of the ellipse will depend on the
kind of light by which the flame is traversed.
140. In order to find the position of the absorption lines in
the spectrum, we should have to determine k by means of the equa-
tion (239), and to seek the values of the frequency which make h
a maximum. If the denominator of the last fraction in (239) is
divested of imaginaries, the equation takes the form
TRANSVERSE ZEEMAN-EPFECT. igl
and we get
\v n) c^
Q
^^'=27^--^=^-- (240)
The general discussion of this result leads to formulae of such com-
plexity that they can hardly be handled. Fortunately, in the cases
we shall have to consider, the frequencies for which Ic is a maximum,
may he found with sufficient accuracy by making the denominator Q
a minimum. Moreover, in doing so, we may again consider a as the
only variable quantity, the quantities /3 and y not varying perceptibly
in the narrow part of the spectrum with which we are concerned.
Now, the denominator may be written in the form')
from which it immediately appears that the values in question are
given by
I shall suppose that
so that the equation has two real roots
« = - i + Vf^fi'^+~i- (241)
Corresponding to these, one finds
^ = 4/3V', ^ = ^/3(l + 4/ + 1/47^^4^+1), (;) = ^2(i + 4y^),
(242)
»y
i±V7'-fi' + i + i§
141. These results take a very simple form, when, as is generally
the case (§ 134), j3 is great in comparison with 1, and the mag-
netic field is so strong that, for light travelling along the lines of
force, the components of the original absorption line are separated
to a distance greatly surpassing their breadth. This requires (§ 138)
that y be stiU many times greater than /3. Instead of (241) we may
therefore write approximately
a = ±y, (243)
which shows that there are two absorption lines, exactly at the points
of the spectrum where we had lines when the light had the direction
of the lines of force, i. e. in the positions which the elementary
theory of the direct Ze em an -effect might lead us to expect.
1) Note 63.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 11
162 IV. PROPAGATION OP LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OP MOLBCCJLES.
In calculating the index of absorption we may now replace B
by 2/3y2 and Q by 4/3^'- Since
VA^ + £2 - A = --=^L ,
^ Ya' + b' + a'
we find for both lines
Ic = -- (244)
exactly one half of the index of absorption corresponding to a =
in the absence of a magnetic field.
Finally, the expression (242) has the value + i, so that we may
conclude as follows.
If the absorbing body is traversed, in the direction of OX, by
a beam of light whose electric vibrations were originally parallel
to Y, the vibrations are absorbed to an amount determined by (244),
when the frequency has either of the values given by (243). The elec-
trons in the molecules will describe circles in planes parallel to OX
and Y, the direction of their motion corresponding to that of the
magnetic force when a = + y, and not corresponding to it when
« = — 2'.
It should be noticed that, in the case treated in § 138, in
accordance with our present result, we found the maximal absorption
at the point a = -\- y, if the circular motion had the former, and
at the place « = — y, if it had the latter of the directions just named.
142. Voigt has drawn from his equations another very re-
markable conclusion. In general, for a beam of light travelling at
right angles to the lines of force, and consisting of electric vibrations
perpendicular to these lines, the two absorption bands which we get
instead of the single original one, are neither equally distant from
the position of the latter, nor equally strong, as the components of
the doublet observed in the direction of the field invariably are.
This follows immediately from the circumstance that the functions
A, B and Q contain not only even, but also odd powers of a, so
that the phenomena are not symmetrical on both sides of the point
in the spectrum where a == 0.
In some experiments undertaken by Zee man for the purpose
of testing these predictions, a very slight want of symmetry was in-
deed detected. If this is really the dissymmetry to which Voio-t
was led by his calculations, the phenomenon is highly interesting, as
we can deduce from it that the gaSeous body in which it occurs
exerts what we may call a metallic absorption in the middle of the
band. Indeed, the peculiarity to which Voigt called attention, can
make itself felt only in case the coefficient /3 is not much oreater than
ROTATION OF THE PLANE OF POLARIZATION. 163
unity, and this leads to an absorption -which is very sensible even for
a thickness equal to a wave-length (§ 134).^)
143. I must now call your attention to the intimate connexion
between the Zeeman-effect and the rotation of the plane of polari-
zation that was discovered by Faraday. Reverting to the case of
a propagation along the lines of force, we can start from our former
result (§§ 137, 138), that the simplest solutions of our system of
equations are those which represent either a right-handed or a left-
handed circularly polarized beam, and that the formulae for these
two cases are obtained, if, in the equations holding in the absence
of a magnetic field, we replace a either hj a -\- y or hj a — y. This
is true, not only for the formulae giving the coefficient of absorption,
but also for those which determine the velocity of propagation.
Hence, if this velocity is denoted by tij for a left-handed, and by
v^ for a right-handed ray, we shall have (cf. equation (229)),
1 ^ 1 _l <^ — Y
», c ' 2c[(a — y)=i + p*]'
1 _£_^ « + )-
v,_ c T2c[(a + y)^ + /3»]
For a definite frequency n, these values are unequal. So are also
the corresponding values of the coefficient of absorption, so that,
under the influence of a magnetic field, the system has a different
degree of transparency for the two kinds of circularly polarized light.
For the sake of simplicity, however, we shall now leave out of con-
sideration this latter difference, and speak only of the phenomena
that are caused by the difference in the velocities of propagation.
You know that in every case in which these are unequal for the two
kinds of circularly polarized light, a beam with a rectilinear polari-
zation will have its plane of polarization turned as it travels onward.
The angle of rotation per unit of length is given by
- = Y-(i-^)' (245)
or in our case by
n r a-\ -y a — y "] /ni^^s,
<" = I^ LTcT-T -yf+J^ - («-r)^ + H ' ^ '
The sense of the rotation depends on the algebraical sign of
this expression. When § is positive, i. e. when the magnetic force
has the direction of the beam of light, a positive value of m means a
rotation whose direction corresponds to that of the magnetic force.
The general features of the phenomenon, as it depends on the
frequency, come out most clearly if we avail ourselves of a graphical
representation. In Fig. 6 we drew a curve giving the index of re-
1) See Note 64.
11*
164 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
fraction as a function of the frequency, and showing how it changes
as we go through the spectrum from left to right. This curve, which
relates to the body not subjected to a magnetic force, may also be
taken to represent the values of — ■ Now, if there is a magnetic
field, the curves for — and — are obtained by simply shifting that
of Fig. 6 towards the left or towards the right over an interval
equal to
2mc
(cf. § 138). In this way we get the two curves
A-^B^D^E^ and A^B^D^E^ of Fig. 7, and these immediately give us
an idea of the angle of rotation o,
because, as (245) teUs us, this angle
is proportional to the algebraic diffe-
rence between corresponding ordinates.
It can therefore be represented by
the line BR.
Two interesting results become
apparent by this construction. The
first is, that in the narrow part of
the spectrum close to the original
absorption line, the rotation of the
plane of polarization twice changes
its sign; the second, that, on account
of the high values of ^ or — which
are found at some places, the angle
of rotation can also attain a rather
great value.
Macaluso and Corbino-"^), who were the first to examine this
phenomenon in the case of a sodium flame, observed rotations as
great as 270". The results of their experiments could immediately
be explained by the theory which Voigt had already developed.
Some years later, Zeeman^) and Hallo^) made a very careful ex-
perimental study of the phenomenon, and again found a satisfactory
agreement with Voigt's theory.
144. The Faraday -effect had been known for a long time, and
the only thing in the above results apt to cause astonishment, was,
that a rotation much greater than had ever been observed in trans-
parent bodies, should be produced in a sodium flame. An other
magneto-optic effect that was predicted by Voigt, is an entirely new
1) D. Macaluso and 0. M. Corbino, Comptes rendus 127 (1898), p. 548.
2) P. Zeeman, AmsterdamProc. 6(1902),p. 41; Arch. n(5erL (2)7 (1902), p. 4G5.
3) J. J. Hallo, Arch. n(3erl. (2) 10 (1905), p. 148.
MAGNETIC DOUBLE REFRACTION. 165
one. It consists in a double refraction that is observed when a body such
as we have considered in this chapter, is traversed by a beam of
light at right angles to the lines of force. For such a beam we
have to distinguish between the electric vibrations perpendicular and
parallel to the lines of force. For the former, the velocity of propa-
gation is given by the equation (239), for the latter by (224) and
(225), or as we may also say, by (239), if in this latter formula we
put y = 0. The difference between the two values is what was
meant when I spoke just now of a double refraction. It can be
calculated by our formulae as soon as a, /3, y are known, but I shall
not lose time in these calculations. I shall only observe that the
effect remains the same when the field is reversed; this follows at
once from (230), because this equation contains only the square of y,
and therefore the square of !Q.
Voigt and Wiechert have experimentally verified these predic-
tions, and Geest^) has carefully measured the magnetic double refrac-
tion in a sodium flame.
145. Availing ourselves of the theory that has been set forth
in this chapter, we can draw from experimental data certain interesting
conclusions concerning the absorbing (or radiating) particles. Some
measurements enable us to calculate the relative values of the three
quantities a, j3, y, whereas others can serve for the determination of
their absolute values.
Thus, if we have measured the distance between the middle com-
ponent of Zeeman's triplet and the outer ones, we know that for
the frequency n belonging to one of these latter, a and y have equal
values. Replacing y by its value (203), and a by (231), in which
we shall now neglect the difference between n^' and Wq (§ 135), so that
a = 2 m «o (wo - w) = ^-^ -' , (247)
the equality leads us back to our old equation
" 2mc '
bv means of which we can determine the ratio —
TO
The ratio between a and /3 could be found if quantitative deter-
minations of the absorption, in the ordinary case in which there is
no magnetic field, were at our disposal. If, for example, we knew
that at a certain point in an absorption band the index of absorption
]c is X times smaller than at the middle of the band, the ratio v
between a and /3 could be found (§ 134) by means of the formula
x^l+v'. (248)
1) J. Geest, Arch, n^erl. (2) 10 (1905), p. 291.
166 IV. PROPAGATION OF LIGHT IN A SYSTEM OF MOLECULES.
The distribution of intensity has been determined by bolometric or
similar measurements for the broad bands that are produced by such
gases as carbonic acid, but we cannot tell what it is in the ■ narrow
bands observed in the case of a sodium flame for instance. All we
can then do, is to form an estimate of the ratio v between a and /3
for the border of the band. If we assume, for example, that here n
is equal to 10 or 20, we can calculate v from the relation (248),
and, substituting this value in the equation
a = v^,
for which, on account of (247), (202) and (199), we may write
2ni(ng — n) = vff,
we find
2 m (w„ — n)
This formula takes an interesting form if we use the relation (207).
It then becomes
showing that the time during which the vibrations in a particle go
on uadisturbed may be deduced from the breadth of the band.
In Hallo's experiments the breadth of the i)-lines was about
one Angstrom unit, from which I infer that the value of r lies
between 12-10-^^ and 24- 10^^^ sec. The first number is got by
putting V = 3 (x = 10), the second by taking v = 6 (x = 37). As
the interval between two successive encounters of a molecule is pro-
bably of the order 10""* sec, we see that t comes out somewhat
smaller than this interval, as was already mentioned in § 120.
After having found the ratios between k, ^, y, we can try to
evaluate the absolute values of these coefficients. For this purpose,
we could use the absolute value of the coefficient of absorption, if
it were but known. We can also avail ourselves, as Hallo and
Geest have pointed out, of the rotation of the plane of polarization,
or of the magnetic double refraction. If the ratios between «, /3, y
are given, the three quantities may be deduced from the formula (246),
or from the difl^erence between the value of v given by (239), and
the corresponding value for ^ = 0.
Now, when a. is known for a certain point in the spectrum in the
neighbourhood of the point w„, i. e. when we know the value of (247),
and if further we introduce the values of - and e, we can draw a
conclusion as to the number of absorbing (or radiating) particles per
NUMBER OF ABSORBING PARTICLES. 167
unit of volume. In this way one iinds for the sodium flame used
by Hallo
N=4:- IQi^
corresponding to a density of the sodium vapour of about 10~^- In
all probability this value is very much smaller than the density of
the vapour actually present in the flame, a difference that must per-
haps be explained by supposing that only those particles which are
in a peculiar state, a small portion of the whole number, play a
part in the phenomenon of absorption.
I need scarcely add that all these conclusions must be regarded
with some diffidence. To say the truth, the theory of the absorption
and emission of light by ponderable bodies is yet in its infancy. If
we should feel inclined to think better of it, and to be satisfied with
the results already obtained, our illusion wiU soon be dispelled, when we
think a moment of Wood's investigations about the optical properties
of sodium vapour, which show that a molecule of this substance must
have a wonderful complexity, or of the shifting of the spectral
lines by pressure that was discovered by Humphreys and Mohler,
and which the theory in its present state is hardly able to account for.-^)
1) Note 64.
CHAPTER V.
OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
146. The electromagnetic and optical phenomena in systems
having a motion of translation^ as all terrestrial bodies have by
the annual motion of the earth, are of much interest, not only in
themselves, but also because they furnish us with means of testing
the different theories of electricity that have been proposed. The
theory of electrons has even been developed partly vrith a view to
these phenomena. For these reasons I shall devote the last part of
my lectures to some questions relating to the propagation of light
in moving bodies and, in the first place, to the astronomical aberra-
tion of light.
Before I go into some details concerning the attempts that have
been made to explain this influence of the earth's motion on the
apparent position of the stars, it will be well to set forth a general
mode of reasoning that can be used in problems concerning the
propagation of waves and rays of light. It consists in the application
of Huygens's well known principle.
We shall consider a transparent medium of any kind we like,
moving in one way or another, and we shall refer this motion and
the propagation of light in the medium to three rectangular axes of
coordinates, which we may conceive as likewise moving. We shall
suppose our diagrams, which are to re-
present the successive positions of waves
of light, to be rigidly fixed to the axes,
so that these have an invariable position
in the diagrams.
Let 6 (Pig. 8) be a wave -front in
the position it occupies at the time t,
and let us seek to determine the po-
sition (j' which it win have reached
after an infinitely short time dt. For
this purpose we must regard each point P of (J as a centre of
vibration, and construct around it the elementary wave that is formed
Fig. 8.
APPLICATION OF HUYGBNS'S PRINCIPLE. 169
in the time dt, i. e. tlie infinitely small surface that is reached at
the instant t -[■ dt by a disturbance starting from P at the time t.
The envelop of aU these elementary waves wiU be the new position
of the wave-front, and by continually repeating this construction we
can foUow the wave in its propagation step by step.
At the same time, the course of the rays of light becomes
known. The line drawn from the centre of vibration P of an
elementary wave to the point P' where it is touched by the envelop 0',
is an element of a ray, and every new step in the construction will
give us a new element of it.
The physical meaning of the lines so determined need scarcely
be recalled here. The rays serve to indicate the manner in which
beams of light can be laterally limited. If, for example, the light
is made to pass through an opening in an opaque screen, the
disturbance of the equilibrium behind the screen is confined to the
part of space that can be reached by rays of light drawn through
the points of the opening. It must be kept in mind, however, that
this is true only if we neglect the efi'ects of diffraction, as we may
do when the dimensions of the opening are very large in comparison
with the wave-length.
If we want to lay stress on the fact that, in the above con-
struction, we had in view the relative motion of light with respect
to the axes of coordinates or with respect to some system to which
these are fixed, we can speak of the relative rays of light.
As to the elementary waves, on whose dimensions and form aU
is made to depend, these are determined in every case by the optical
properties and the state of motion of the medium.
147. We are now prepared for examining the two theories of
the aberration of light that have been proposed by Fresnel and
Stokes. In doing so we shall confine ourselves to the annual aber-
ration, so that the rotation of our planet around its axis wiU be left
out of consideration. In order further to simplify the problem, we
shall replace the motion of the earth in its annual course by a uni-
form translation along a straight line.
The theory of Stokes') rests on the assumption that the ether
surrounding the earth is set in motion by the translation of this body,
and that, at every point of the surface of the globe, there is perfect
equality of the velocities of the earth and the ether. According
to this latter hypothesis, the instruments of an observatory are at
rest relatively to the surrounding ether. It is clear that under these
1) G. G. Stokes, On the aben-ation of light, Phil. Mag. (3) 27 (1845), p. 9;
Mathematical and physical papers 1, p. 134.
170 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
circumstances the direction in which a heavenly body is observed,
must depend on the direction of the waves, such as it is immediately
before the light enters our instruments. Now, on account of the
supposed motion of the ether, this direction may differ from the
direction of the waves at some distance from the earth; this is the
reason why the apparent position of a star will be different from
the real one.
In order to determine the rotation of the waves we shall now
apply the general method that has been sketched, using a system of
coordinates that moves with the earth. We shall denote by g the
velocity with which the ether moves across our diagram, a velocity
that is at the surface of the earth, if there is no sliding, and equal
and opposite to the velocity of the earth at a considerable distance.
The state of motion beiag stationary, this relative velocity of the
ether is independent of the time. We shall further neglect the in-
fluence of the air on the j)ropagation of light, an influence that is
known to be very feeble.
If the ether were at rest relatively to the axes, the light-waves
would travel with the definite velocity c; every elementary wave
would be a sphere whose radius is cdt, and whose centre lies at the
point P from which the radiation goes forth. For the moving ether
this has to be modified. The elementary wave still remains a sphere
with radius celt, because in the infinitely small space in which it is
formed, the ether may be taken to have everywhere the same velo-
city, but while it expands, the sphere is carried along by the motion
of the medium, in exactly the same manner in which waves of sound
are carried along by the wind, or water waves by the current of a
river. The elementary wave formed around a point P (Fig. 8) wiU
therefore have its centre, not at P, but at another point Q, namely
at the point that is reached at the time t -\- dt }iy & particle of the
ether which had the position P at the time t. There will be a ro-
tation of the wave-front, if the velocity g of the ether changes from
one point of the wave to the next.
It win suffice for our purpose to consider so small a part of
the wave as can be admitted into the instrument of observation. A
part of this size can be considered as plane and the velocity of the
ether at its different points can be regarded as a linear function of
the coordinates. Consequently, the centres of the spheres lie in a
plane and, since the spheres are equal, the part of the new wave-
front (/ with which we are concerned is a plane of the same direction,
so that the rotation of the wave is equal to the rotation of a plane 6
that is carried along by the motion of the medium.
Let us lay the axis OX along the normal N to the wave-front
6, drawn in the direction of propagation. Then, the direction cosines
STOKES'S THEORY OF ABERRATION. 171
of the normal N' to the new wave-front are easily found ^) to be
proportional to the expressions
dx ' oy ' dz
We can express this result by saying that the direction of the normal
N' is obtained if a vector of unit length in the direction of iV is
compounded with a vector whose components are
-"^'dt, -^-^dt, -^-dt. (249)
dx ' dy ' dz ^ '
A vector which serves in this way to determine the change of a
direction, by being compounded with a unit vector in the original
direction, may be termed a deviating vector.
There is one assumption which plays a very important part in
Stokes's theory and of which thus far no mention has been made.
Stokes supposes the motion of the ether to be irrotational, or, in
other terms, to have a velocity potential. In virtue of this we have
Hx ^ 3 fly Hs ^Sg,
dy dx ' dz dx '
so that we can represent the components (249) of the deviating
vector by
-l^dt, -i^'dt, -^^dt,
dx ' dx ' dx '
and the vector itself by
lldt. (250)
148. The velocity W of the earth being only one ten-thousandth
part of the speed of light, aU the terms in our formulae which
contain the factor - — -, are very smaU. So are also the terms con-
taining the factor — , if g is one of the velocities of matter or
ether, and v one of the velocities of light with which we are
concerned. We shall call terms of this kind quantities of the first
order of magnitude, and we shall neglect in the majority of cases
the terms of the second order, i. e. those which are proportional
to -^ or to ^
c v
If we do so, the calculation of the total rotation which the
waves of light undergo while advancing towards the earth, and which
is a quantity of the first order, is much simplified. We have only
to form the sum of all the deviating vectors such as (250) which
1) Note 65.
172 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
belong to the successive elements of time; the resultant vector will
be the total deviating vector, i. e. the vector which we must com-
pound with a unit vector in the direction of the original normal to
the waves, in order to get the final direction of the normal. Since
C '
(250) becomes
_lli. OP'
c dx '"^-^ '
and here we may replace QP' by the element FP' = ds of the ray,
because the ratio yyp, differs from 1 by a quantity of the order -^ ,
and the factor — 5-- is also of this order of magnitude. Finally,
cox
we may replace ^ by -^j because the angle between ds and the
axis of X, which coincides with the wave-normal, is a quantity of
the order ^- The deviating vector corresponding to the element ds
becomes by this
--^Ids,
c cs '
an expression from which all reference to the axes of coordinates has
disappeared, and, if the ray travels from a point A to a point B,
we have for the total deviating vector
B
-|/l!^^' = |(9--9-)'
where g^i and g^ are the relative velocities of the ether at the
points A and B.
Now, let the point J. be at a great distance from the earth,
and let B lie in the immediate neighbourhood of its surface. Then,
if there is no sliding, we have 0^ = 0, whereas g^ is equal and
opposite to the velocity W of the earth. The deviating vector becomes
w
c
and we can draw the following conclusion:
In order to find the final direction of the wave-normal (in the
direction of the propagation) we must draw a vector equal to the
velocity c of light in the direction of the original normal to the
waves at A, and compound it with a vector equal and opposite to
the velocity of the earth. If one takes into account that the normal
at A coincides with the real direction of the light coming from a
STOKES'S THEORY OF ABERRATION. 173
star, it is clear tliat our result agrees with the ordinary explanation
of aberration that is given in text-books of astronomy and that has
been verified by observations.
149. Unfortunately, there is a very serious difficulty about this
theory of Stokes: two assumptions which we have been obliged to
make, namely that the motion of the ether is irrotational and that there
is no sliding over the surface of the earth, can hardly be reconciled.
It is wholly impossible to do so, if the ether is regarded as incom-
pressible. Indeed, a well known hydrodynamical theorem teacTies us
that, when a sphere immersed in a boundless incompressible medium has
a given translation, the motion of the medium wiU be completely
determined if it is required that there shall be a velocity potential,
and that, at every point of the surface, the velocity of the medium
and that of the sphere shall have equal components in the direction
of the normal. In the only state of motion which satisfies these
two conditions there is a considerable sliding at the surface, the
maximum value of the relative velocity being even one and a half
times the velocity of translation of the sphere.^) This shows that an
irrotational motion of the medium without sliding can never be
realized if the medium is incompressible, and that we should have
at once to dismiss Stokes's theory if we could be sure of the in-
compressibility of the ether.
The preceding reasoning fails however, if we admit the possibi-
lity of changes in the density of the ether, and Planck has observed^)
that the two hypotheses of Stokes's theory no longer contradict
each other, if one supposes the ether to be condensed around celestial
bodies, as it would be if it were subjected to gravitation and had
more or less the properties of a gas. We cannot wholly avoid a
sliding at the surface, but we can make it as small as we please by
supposing a sufficient degree of condensation. If we do not shrink
from admitting an accumulation of the ether around the earth to a
density f" times as great as the density in celestial space, we can
imagine a state of things in which the maximum velocity of sliding
is no more than one half percent of the velocity of the earth, and
this would certainly be amply sufficient for an explanation of the
aberration within the limits of experimental errors.^)
In this department of physics, in which we can make no pro-
gress without some hypothesis that looks somewhat startling at first
1) Note 66.
2) See Lorentz, Stokes's theory of aberration in the supposition of a
variable density of the aether, Amsterdam Proceedings ]K9a— 1899, p. 44.3 (Ab-
handlungeu fiber theoretische Physik I, p. 454).
3) Note 67.
] 74 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
sight, we must be careful not rasUy to reject a new idea, and in
making his suggestion Planck has certainly done a good thing. Yet
I dare say that this assumption of an enormously condensed ether,
combined, as it must be, with the hypothesis that the velocity of
light is not in the least altered by it, is not very satisfactory. I am
sure, Planck himself is inclined to prefer the unchangeable and
immovable ether of Fresnel, if it can be shown that this conception
can lead us to an understanding of the phenomena that have been
observed.
150. The theory of Fresnel, the main principle of which has
already been incorporated in the theory I have set forth in the pre-
ceding chapters, dates as far back as 1818. It was formulated for the
first time in a letter to Arago^), in which it is expressly stated that
we must imagine the ether not to receive the least part of the motion
of the earth. To this Fresnel adds a most important hypothesis
concerning the propagation of light in moving transparent ponderable
matter.
I believe every one wiH be ready to admit that an optical phe-
nomenon which can take place in a system that is at rest, can go
on in exactly the same way after a uniform motion of translation
has been imparted to this system, provided only that this translation
be given to all that belongs to the system. If, therefore, aU that is
contained in a column of water or in a piece of glass shares a trans-
latory motion which we communicate to these substances, the propa-
gation of light in their interior wiU. always go on in the same
manner, whether there be a translation or not. The case wiE. however
be different, if the glass or the water contains something which we
cannot set in motion.
Now, as I said, Fresnel supposed the ether not to follow
the motion of the earth. The only way in which this can be under-
stood, is to conceive the earth as impregnated throughout its bulk
with ether and as perfectly permeable to it. When we have gone
so far as to attribute this property to a body of the size of our
planet, we must certainly likewise ascribe it. to much smaller bodies,
and we must expect that, if water flows through a tube, there
is no current of ether, and that therefore, since a beam of light is
propagated partly by the water and partly by the ether, the light
waves, being held back as it were by the ether, will not acquire the
full velocity of the water current. According to Fresnel's hypo-
thesis, the velocity of the rays relative to the walls of the tube
1) Lettre de Fresnel a Arago, Sur rinfluence du mouvement terrestre
dans quelques phenomenes d'optique, Ann. de chim. et do phys. >) (1818), p. 57
(CEuvres completes de Fresnel 2, p. 627).
FRESNEL'S COEFFICIENT. 175
(or, what amounts to the same thing, relative to the ether) is
found by compounding the velocity with which the propagation would
take place in standing water, with only a certain part of the
velocity of the flow, this part being determined by the fraction 1 ^ ,
where /t is the index of refraction of the water when at rest. The
same coefficient 1 j is applied by him to all other isotropic
transparent substances. If ft is little different from 1, as it is in
gases, the coefficient is very small; light waves are scarcely dragged
along by a current of air, because in air the propagation takes place
almost exclusively in the ether it contains. If Fresnel's coeffi-
cient is to be nearly 1, i. e. if the light waves are to acquire almost
the full velocity of the ponderable matter, we must use a highly re-
fracting body.
151. I must add two remarks. In the first place, instead of
the propagation relative to the ether, we can as well consider that
relative to the ponderable matter. If water which is flowing through
a tube towards the right-hand side with a velocity tv, is traversed
by a beam of light going in the same direction, the velocity of
propagation relative to the ether is
^+(^-7^)^'
where v means the velocity of light in standing water. The rela-
tive velocity of the light with respect to the water is got from this
by subtracting iv, so that it is given by
v-^,w. (251)
It may be considered as compounded of the velocity v and a part,
determined by the fraction — „, of the velocity with which the ether
moves relatively to the ponderable matter, and which in our example
is directed towards the left.
In the second place, the above statement of Fresnel's hypo-
thesis requires to be completed for the case of media in which the
velocity of light depends on the frequency. When a body is in
motion, we must distinguish between the frequency of the vibrations
at a fixed point of the ether and the frequency with which the
electromagnetic state alternates at a point moving with the ponderable
matter. If, using axes of coordinates fixed with respect to the ether,
we represent the disturbances by means of formulae containing an
expression of the form
aosn(t-^+p), (252)
176 V. OPTICA!; PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
n is tlie first of these frequencies, which may be termed the true or
absolute one. We can pass to the other, the relative frequency, by
introducing into this expression the coordinate with respect to an
origin moving with the ponderable matter. If this coordinate is
denoted by x, and if the motion of the matter takes place in the
direction of OX with the velocity w, we have
X = X -{■ wt,
so that (252) becomes
cos n\t 1 V P)-
The coefficient of t in this expression,
nl
(1-3
is the relative frequency; that it differs from n agrees with Doppler's
principle.
Fresnel's hypothesis may now be expressed more exactly as
follows. If we want to know the velocity of propagation of light
in moving ponderable matter, we must fix our attention on the
relative frequency n of the vibrations, and we must understand by v
and (I in the expression (251) the values relating to light travelling
in the body without a translation, and vibrating with a frequency
equal to n'.
152. I have now to show that Fresnel's theory can account
for the phenomena that have been observed. These may be briefly
summarized as follows. First there is the aberration of light of which
I have already spoken. Further it has been found that an astro-
nomer, after having determined the apparent direction of a star's rays
and their apparent frequency, can predict from these, by the ordinary
laws of optics, and without attending any more to the motion of the
earth, the result of aU experiments on reflexion, refraction, diffraction
and interference that can be made with these rays. Finally, all
optical phenomena which are produced by using a terrestrial source
of light are absolutely independent of the earth's motion. If, by a
common rotation of the apparatus, the source of light included, we
alter the direction of the rays with respect to that of the earth's
translation, not the least change is ever observed.
It must be noticed that aU this could be accounted for at a
stroke and without any mathematical formula by Stokes's theory,
if only we could reconcile with each other its two fundamental
assumptions. In applying Fresnel's views, we need some calculations,
but these will lead us to a very satisfactory explanation of all that
has been mentioned, with the restriction however that we must
confine ourselves to the effects of the first order.
VELOCITY OF A RAY OF LIGHT IN A MOVING MEDIUM. 177
153. We shall again begin by considering the propagation of
the wave-front, this time in the interior of a ponderable transparent
body, whose properties may change from point to point, but which
we shall suppose to be everywhere isotropic. For a given frequency,
the velocity of light in the body while it is at rest will have at
every point a definite value v, connected with the index of refrac-
tion ji by the relation
c
ti = —
^ V
As before, we shall use axes of coordinates that are fixed to the
earth; if we represent the progress of the waves in a diagram, this
will likewise be supposed to move with the earth, so that the ether
must be understood to flow across it, with a velocity which will again
be denoted by g, but which now has the same direction and magni-
tude at all points, being everywhere equal and opposite to the velocity
of the earth.
Let, as before, G be the position of a wave-front (see Fig. 8, p. 168)
at the time t, 6' the position at the time t -\- dt, the latter surface
being the envelop of aU. the elementary waves that have been formed
during the time dt. If the ether were at rest in our diagram, each
elementary wave would be a sphere having a radius vdt, and whose
geometric centre coincides with the centre of vibration. In reality,
according to what has been said about Fresnel's hypothesis, the
geometric centre of the sphere, whose radius is stiU. vdt, is dis-
placed from the centre of vibration over a certain distance, the dis-
placement being given by the vector — | g dt.
Let us consider the infinitely small triangle having its angles at
the point P of the wave-front U, which is the centre of disturbance
for the elementary wave, the point Q which is its geometric centre,
and the point P' where it is touched by the new wave-front 6. As
has just been said, the side P $ as a vector is given by -j g dt. The
side QF', being a radius of the sphere, is normal to 0', and, in the
limit, to 6. Its length is vdt. As to the side PP', this is an ele-
pjj'
ment of a relative ray. According to general usage, we shall call -^
the velocity of the ray, so that, if this is denoted by v, we have
FT'=v'dt.
It appears from this that, if the angle between the relative ray and
the velocity g is represented by ■9',
V^ = v'^-2'^lv' <iOB» + -L',
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 1"
178 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
from which one finds, omitting quantities of the third order, i. e. of
I a P
the order ^,
«' = ^, + Mcos#- J^.sin^*. (253)
We shall have especially to consider the inverse of this quantity.
To the same degree of approximation, it is given by
1 Mi l9
There is further a simple rule by means of which we can pass from
the direction of the wave-normal to that of the relative ray and con-
versely. The vector I'T' is the sum of the vectors TQ and QV .
Hence, dividing the three by dt, we have the following proposition:
If a vector having the direction of the normal to the wave and the
magnitude v, is compounded with a vector -^, the resultant vector
win be in the direction of the relative ray. And, conversely, if a
vector in the direction of the ray and having the magnitude v , is
compounded with a vector — -^, we shall find the direction of the
normal to the wave.
In order fuUy to understand the meaning of these propositions,
one must keep in mind that, at every point of the medium, the re-
lative ray and the wave can have all possible directions. The above
results apply to aU cases.
154. These preliminaries enable us to prove the beautiful
theorem that, if quantities of the second order are neglected, the
course of the relative rays is not affected by the motion of the
earth. We have seen in what manner Huygens's principle, while
determining the successive positions ff, e' , u", ... of a wave-front,
also gives us the succeeding elements PP', F' F'\ F"P"', ... of a
relative ray. If the centre of vibration of an elementary wave and
the point where it is touched by the envelop are called conjugate
points, we may say that a ray passes through a series of conjugate
points succeeding each other at infinitely small distances. Now, be-
tween any two consecutive positions of the wave-front, we can draw
a large number of infinitely small straight lines, some joining con-
jugate points and others not, and for each of these lines ds we can
calculate the value of
?^ (255)
taking for v' the value belonging to an element of a ray having the
direction of ds. It is easily seen that this expression (255) has one
COURSE OP A RELATIVE RAY. 179
and the same value for aU. lines joining conjugate points, and a greater
value for aU other lines. Indeed, by the definition of v, the value
is for the first lines equal to the time dt in which the light advances
from the first position of the wave-front to the second. As to a
line ds which is drawn between a point P of the first wave-front
and a point Q of the second, not conjugate with P, its end Q lies
outside the elementary wave that is formed around P, because the new
wave-front is less curved than the elementary wave and must lie
outside it with the exception of the point of contact. Therefore, for
the line P$, the expression (255) must exceed the value it would
have if Q lay on the surface of the elementary wave.
Now, let A and H be two points of a relative ray s, at a finite
distance from each other, and let s be any other line joining these
points. If between A and P we construct a series of wave-fronts at
infinitely small distances from each other, the line s is divided into
elements each of which joins two conjugate points, whereas the ele-
ments of s cannot be all of this kind. From this we can infer that
the integral
pi (256)
taken for s will have a smaller value than the corresponding integral
for the line &'. Thus, the course of the relative ray between two
given points A and P is seen to be determined by the property that
the integral (256) is smaller for it than for any other line between
the same points.
Substituting in the integral the value (254) we find, if we
neglect terms of the second order,
B B B
J'lf = J'L^ _ jLsl^rfs. (257)
AAA
Here, since [iv = c, we may replace the last term by
B
j,fQ,ds=^{AB%\Q\,
A
if we understand by (AS)^^ the projection of the path AJB on the
direction of the velocity g, a projection that is entirely determined
by the position of the extreme points A and P. The last term in
(257) is therefore the same for all paths leading from A to P, and
the condition for the minimum simply requires that the first term
A
12'
180 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
be a minimum. This term, however, contains nothing that depends
on the velocity g; hence, the course of the ray, for which it is a
minimum, is likewise independent of that velocity, by which our
proposition is proved.
In the proof we have made no assumption concerning the way
in which v and ^i change from point to point. It applies to any
distribution of isotropic transparent matter, and even to limiting cases
in which there is a sudden change of properties at a certain surface.
Consequently, for the relative rays, the law of refraction remains the
same as it would be if the bodies were at rest (in which case the
word „relative" might as weU be dropped). I must add that this
proposition can easily be proved by itself, by directly applying
Huygens's principle to the refraction at a surface, and that the
reflexion of rays can be treated in the same manner and with the
same result.
155. In order to account for the phenomenon of aberration,
one has only to combine the above results. Let P be a distant point,
which we imagine to be rigidly connected with the earth, and to lie just
outside the atmosphere in the free ether. At this point, the light
coming from some star will have waves whose normal has a definite
direction N, opposite to the direction in which the star is really
situated. It has also a definite relative frequency, which in general
difiers from the true or absolute one according to Doppler's principle.
At the point P we have v == c, /x = 1. Hence, if we want to
find the direction of the relative ray s at this place, we must com-
pound a vector c in the direction of the wave • normal N with a
vector g, which represents the velocity of the ether relative to the
earth, and which is therefore equal and opposite to the velocity of
the earth itself This construction evidently leads to a direction of
the relative ray identical with the apparent direction of the rays as
determined in the elementary theory of aberration. We shall there-
fore have explained this latter phenomenon if we can show that the
result of observations made at the surface of our planet is such that
an astronomer (who does not think of the earth's motion), reckoning
so far as necessary with the frequency n which shows itself to
him, would conclude from them that the rays reach the atmosphere
in the direction s. This is really so, because, as we have seen, the
progress of the relative rays from P onward is exactly what would
be the progress of the absolute rays if the earth did not move and
the true frequency were equal to n.
We may mention in particular that, if, in this latter case, the
path of a ray were mapped out by means of suitably arranged screens
with small openings, a ray can stiU pass through these openings, if
EXPERIMENTS WITH TERRESTRIAL SOURCES OF LIGHT. 181
the screens move with the earth. Further that if, on the immovable
earth, the absolute rays were brought to a focus in a telescope, the
relative rays wiU likewise converge towards this point, producing in
it a real concentration of light. The truth of this is at once seen
if, by means of the theorem of § 153, we determine the shape of
the wave-fronts in the neighboui-hood of the focus. It is found that
the convergence of the relative rays towards a point necessarily
implies a contraction of the waves around this point. ^)
The explanation of the fact that all optical phenomena which
are produced by means of terrestrial sources of light are uninfluenced
by the earth's motion, is so simple that few words are needed for it.
It wiE suffice to observe that in experiments on interference the
differences of phase remain unaltered. This foUows at once from our
formula (257) for the time in which a relative ray travels over a
certain path. If two relative rays, starting from a point A, come
together at a point B, the lengths of time required by them are
given by the expressions
/
4?' + ?(^^), 9;
and
B
/^ + i(^-S)Jol,
where the integrals relate to the two paths. Since the last terms
are identical, we find for the difference between the two times
This being independent of the motion of the earth, the result of the
interference must be so likewise, a conclusion that may be extended
to all optical phenomena, because, in the light of Huygens's prin-
ciple, we may regard them aU as cases of interference.
It should be noticed, however, that the position of the bright
and the dark interference bands is determined by the differences of
phase expressed in times of vibration, so that the above conclusions
are legitimate only if the motion of the earth does not affect the
periods themselves in which the particles in the source of light are
vibrating. This condition wiU be fulfilled if neither the elastic forces
acting on them, nor their masses are changed. Then, in all experi-
ments performed on the moving earth, the relative frequency at any
1) Note 68.
182 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
point of our apparatus will be equal to the frequency that would
exist if we could experiment in the same manner on a planet having
no translation.
156. Presnel's coefficient 1 2, the importance of which we
have now learned to understand, can be deduced from the theory that
in a beam of light in a ponderable body there is an oscillatory
motion of electric charges. Unfortunately, if these latter are supposed
to be concentrated in separate electrons, the deduction suffers from
the difficulties that are inherent in most molecular theories, and the
true cause of the partial convection of light-waves by matter in
motion does not become clearly apparent. For this reason I shall
first consider an ideal case, namely that of a body in which the charges
are continuously distributed. In this preliminary treatment I shall
make light of the difficulty that we are now obliged to imagine four
different things, thoroughly penetrating each other, so that they can
exist in the same space, viz. 1. the ether, 2. the positive and the
negative electricity and 3. the ponderable matter.
For the sake of simplicity, I shall suppose that only one of the
two electricities can be shifted from its position of equilibrium in
the ponderable body, the other being rigidly fixed to this latter, and
having no other motion than the common translation of the entire
system. I shall denote by q the volume-density of the movable, and
by q' that of the fixed charge. The body as a whole being uncharged,
we shall have in the state of equilibrium
q + q'=0, (258)
and this wiU. remain true while the one charge is vibrating, unless
it be condensed or rarefied by doing so.
The question as to whether it be the positive or the negative
electricity that can be displaced in the body may be left open in
this theory.
157. We shall suppose the movable charge to have a certain
mass, and to be driven back towards its position of equilibrium by
an elastic force opposite to the displacement and proportional to it;
let q be the displacement, — fn the elastic force, and m the mass,
both reckoned per unit of volume.
The equations that must be applied to the problem before us
were already mentioned in § 11. Introducing axes of coordinates that
have a fixed position in the ether, we have
div d = 9 + p', (259)
div h = 0, (260)
DEDUCTION OF FEBSNEL'S COEFFICIENT. 183
rotd = -yh, (261)
roth = -^(ti + 9V + pV), (^02)
where v and v' are the velocities of the two electricities, so that
pV + p'v' represents the convection current.
To these formulae we must add the equation of motion of the
vibrating electricity. If its acceleration is denoted by j, we have
wj = -/-q + pd + |p[v-h]. (203j
158. Let us first briefly examine the propagation of electric
vibrations in the body when kept at rest. We may limit ourselves
to the case that there is a displacement q^ of the movable charge in
the direction of Y, combined with a dielectric displacement d of
the same direction in the ether, and a magnetic force h^ parallel to
OZ, aU these quantities being functions of x and t only. As the
relation (258) is not violated, the equations (259) and (260) are ful-
filled by these assumptions, and (261) and (262) reduce to
Finally the equation of motion becomes
m^^ = -f\ + Qd,^. (266)
A solution of these equations is obtained by putting
from which we find, by means of (264) and (266),
Substituting these values in (265), we find the following formula for
the determination of the velocity of propagation v:
6-
v' f — mn'
+ 1. (268)
159* When the body has a uniform translation with the velo-
city w in the direction of OX, we can stiU satisfy the equations by
suitable values of d,^, h^, q^,, but some alterations are necessary. The
first of these relates to the convection current. Its component in
184 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
the direction of OX remains 0, since both the positive and the
negative electricity are carried along with the translation of the body,
but, if we continue to use axes of coordinates fixed in the ether, the
convection current parallel to T can no longer be represented
by Q -7^ ■ The right expression for it is found as follows. If a de-
finite point of the vibrating charge has the coordinate x at the time t,
its coordinate at the instant t -{- dt wiU he x + w dt, so that the in-
crement of its displacement q^ is given by
and its velocity in the direction of F by
d
for which we may also write
dt +^8x
\3t)'
if we use the brackets for indicating the differential coefficient for a
point moving with the body. The convection current may therefore
be represented by
'(t)-
It is clear that the acceleration is
and that, for any quantity tp which depends on the coordinates and
the time, we may distinguish two differential coefficients -^ and (-^ j ,
just as we have done for q^. The first is the partial derivative
when qp is considered as a function of t and the „absolute" coordi-
nates, i. e. the coordinates with respect to axes fixed in the ether,
and we have to use the second symbol when the time and the „re-
lative" coordinates, i. e. the coordinates with respect to axes moving
with the body, are taken as independent variables. The relation be-
tween the two quantities is always expressed by the formula
m
As to the differential coefficients with respect to x, y, z, each of
these has the same value, whether we understand by x, y, z the ab-
solute or the relative coordinates.
The second alteration which we have to make is due to the last
DEDUCTION OF FRBSNEL'S COEFFICIENT. 185
term in (23). On account of its velocity w in the direction of OX,
fhe charge q wiU be acted on by a force
— — wh,,
parallel to OY, and this force must be added on the right-hand side
of the equation of motion.
In virtue of the assumptions now made, p + p' again remains
during the vibrations, and (259) and (260) are satisfied. The equa-
tion (264) can be left unchanged, but (265) and (266) must be re-
placed by
d
and
m
['^)--t\ + 9^-'i9K
The three formulae are somewhat simplified if we choose as in-
dependent variables the time and the relative coordinates and if, at
the same time, we put
■ h, = d.;.
c
dx
m{
Applying the relation (269) to d^ and h^, we find
^ = _ i_ (^\
dx c \8t)'
The first and the third of these equations have the same form as
(264) and (266). Hence, if we put
fi;=aoosn(t-^), (270)
understanding by x the relative coordinate, we have, corresponding
to (267),
"z = Yy' ^y'^ f- mn' V '
by which the second equation becomes
V' f — TOW V
Comparing this with (268) we see that, for a definite value of the
frequency n, we may write
4 = 4 + 2"-
186 v. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
As we , continually neglect quantities of the second order, we may,
in the last term, replace v by v. By this we get
c
e w
v
" V "f" T '
tov^
w
V —
—2- = V —
p'
if ft is the index of refraction for the stationary body.
It must be kept in mind that in (270) x means the relative
coordinate. Therefore, n is the relative frequency, and v' the speed
of propagation relative to the ponderable matter. The velocity of
light with respect to the ether is
v' +tv = v + (l — -ijw,
in accordance with Fresnel's hypothesis.
160. I have now to show you in what manner the same result
may be derived from the theory of electrons. For this purpose we
might repeat for a moving system all that has been said in Chap. IV
about the propagation of light in a system of molecules. We shall
however sooner reach our aim by following another course, consisting
in a comparison of the phenomena in a moving system with those
that can occur in the same system when at rest.
In this comparison we shaU avail ourselves of the assumptions
that have been made in Chap. IV.
In the absence of the translatory motion, the problem may be
stated as follows. In the molecules of the body there are electric
moments p changing from one molecule to the next, and variable
with the time. On account of its moment, each molecule is surrounded
by an electromagnetic field, which is determined (§ 42) by the
potentials
in \ dx r dy
[p]
incr
q, = i ^ -- + A M . A W. 1
^ i.^ \ Ti-v ar dy r dz r \'
a =
X, y, 2 being the coordinates of the point considered, r its distance
from the molecule, and the square brackets reminding us that we
have to do with retarded potentials. The electric force d and the
magnetic force h are given by the following formulae, to be deduced
from (33) and (34),
d L_rnl 4- J- crrad \~ ^?J 4- ^ ^^'^^ -I- ^ fPJ I h^lW
LOCAL TIME. 187
After having compounded with each other the fields produced by all
the molecules of the body, we must add one field more, namely that
which is due to external causes, and which I shall represent by d^, h^.
It satisfies the equations
div dj, = 0,
div h(, = 0,
™t ho = - tip,
rot do = — — hn
c
(273)
Lastly, we have to consider the equations of motion of the electrons
which, by their displacement, bring about the electric moments p.
Let each molecule contain a single movable electron e, whose dis-
placement q gives rise to an electric moment
p = eq. (274)
If the symbol S relates to the superposition of the fields of aR the
surrounding particles, and if — f{\ is the elastic force, — gf q a re-
sistance to the motion, the equation of motion is
m'i^ = eSA-\- eA^-ff\ — g'i\. (275)
161. In the theory of the system moving with a velocity W we
may avail ourselves with great advantage of the transformation that
has already been used in § 44.
Taking as independent variables the coordinates x', y, z with
respect to axes moving with the system, and the „local" time
<'=^-^(w,^'+w,2/'+wy), (276)
we find the equations (104) — (107) for the vectors d' and h', which
now take the place of d and h. It is true that the new formulae
have not quite the same form as (33) — (36), and that the term
— grad (W • a'), which makes the difference, must not be omitted,
I w I
being of the first order of magnitude with respect to ■ — -. but not-
withstanding this it is found that the field caused by an electric
moment is determined by the formulae')
H'_ 1 rnl -^ ^ erad I -^ "^"J -^ ^ ^"^^ 4- -- ^^-^
1) See Note 26.
1 8S V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
h' = 7^ rot ( - [P] I ;
exactly corresponding to (271) and (272).
It is scarcely necessary to repeat that the symbols grad and rot
have the meaning that has been specified in § 44, and that, if we
want to calculate d' and h' for a point {x', y , /) at a distance r
from the polarized particle, and for the instant at which the local
time of this point has a definite value t' , we must take for p, p, p
the values existing at the moment when the local time of the particle
IS t
c
The field produced by causes outside the body is again subjected
to the fundamental equations for the free ether. Expressed in terms
of our new variables, these are
div d;
= 0,
div \
= 0,
rot hj'
1
c
K,
rot d„'
= —
\:^.
0?
as is found by making p = in (100) — (103). The form of these
equations is identical with that of (273).
The equation of motion of an electron must now contain the
electromagnetic force --[w-h], which is due to the translation W, so
that we must write for the total force acting on unit charge
d + |[w.h].
This, however, is precisely the vector which we have called d'.
Consequently, if we suppose that the elastic force determined by the
coefficient /", and the resistance measured by y, are not modified by
the translation, we may write for the equation of motion
TOCJ = e2;d'+edo'-/'q-5fq,
where the sign S has the same meaning as in (275).
It should be noticed that the relation (274) remains true, and
that at a definite point of the moving system, the differential coeffi-
cients with respect to t are equal to those with respect to i . On
account of this we may attach to the dots in the above equation the
meaning of partial differentiations with respect to i . They must be
understood in the same sense in the preceding formulae.
THEOREM OF CORRESPUNDINa STATES. 189
162. It appears from what has been said that, by the intro-
duction of the new variables, all the equations of the problem have
again taken the form which they have when there is no translation.
This at once leads to the following conclusion:
If, in the system at rest, there can exist a state of things in
which d, h and p are certain functions of x, y, z and t, the moving
system can be the seat of phenomena in which the vectors d', h', p
are the same functions of the relative coordinates x, y , s' and the
local time t' .
The theorem may be extended to the mean values of d, h or
d', h', the electric moment P per unit of volume, and also to the
vector D which we have introduced in § 114, compared with a similar
one that may be defined for the moving system. If, for the one
system, we put
d = E, h = H, D = E + P,
and for the other
d'=E', fr=H', D'=E'+P,
the result is, that for each state in which E, H, D are certain func-
tions of X, y, z, t, there is a corresponding state in the moving system,
characterized by values of E', H', D' which depend in the same way
on x', y, z', t'.
163. The value of Fresnel's coefficient foUows as an immediate
consequence from this general theorem. Let us suppose that in a
transparent ponderable body without translation, there is a propagation
of light waves, in which the components of E and H are represented
by expressions of the form
a cos nit ^ + P),
where «, /3, y are the direction cosines of the normal to the wave,
and V the velocity of propagation. Then, corresponding to this, we
may have in the same body while in motion phenomena that may
likewise be described as a propagation of light waves, and which
are represented by expressions of the form
r, ax + &y' ■\-ye . \
a cos n [t ^^^ 1- jpj,
i. e., on account of (276),
^ eos^(^- ^"'^^^y'i^^^' - ''"' + y + ^^' + V).
If we put here
_^ 1 J*k - iL 1 4- *!' = il J^ I *= = _L. (277)
190 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES,
witt the condition
the formula becomes
a cos n
«'2+^'2 + /2=l, (278)
showing in the first place that v' is the velocity of propagation re-
lative to the moving body, and in the second place that n is the
frequency at a point moving with it. Hence, if we take v and v for
the same value of n, we are sure to compare the speed of propa-
gation in the two cases for equal relative frequencies.
Neglecting the square of W, we easily find from (277) and (278)
J_ _ _L 4_ 9 "W^ + pwy +yw, _ _!_ _L 2 ^
where W„ is the component of the velocity of translation along the
wave-normal. It may be observed that, since «', j3', y' differ from a,
ji, y only by quantities of the order , we may take the normal
such as it is in the moving system.
Further:
i_ = Jl 4- ^
v^ w
so that we have been led back to our former result.
164. The hypothesis advanced by Fresnel has been confirmed
by Fizeau's observations on the propagation of light in flowing
water'), and, still more conclusively, by the elaborate researches of
Michelson and Morley on the same subject.^) In these experiments
the water was made to flow in opposite directions through two
parallel tubes placed side by side and closed at both ends by glass
plates; the two interfering beams of light were passed through these
tubes in such a manner that, throughout their course, one went
with the water, and tbe other against it.
In order to calculate the change in the differences of phase caused
by the motion of the fluid, it is necessary to know the velocity
of propagation of the light relative to the fixed parts of the appa-
1) H. Fizeau, Sur les hypotheses relatives a I'lSther lumineux, at sur una
exp&ience qui parait demontrer que le mouvement des corps change la vitease
aveo laquelle la lumiere se propage dans leur int&ieur, Comptes rendus 33
(1851), p. 349; Ann. d. Phys. u. Chem., Erg. 3 (1853), p. 457.
2) A. A. Michelson and E. W. Morley, Influence of motion of the me-
dium on the velocity of light, Amer. Journ. of Science (3) 31 (1886), p. 377.
APPLICATIONS OF THE THEOREM OF CORRESPONDING STATES. 191
ratus.i) If T is the period of vibration of tte source of light, the
preceding theory gives the following expression for the velocity in
question
-^^^V-J^ + jT/t-
Here the velocity of the flow of water is represented by w, and we
must take the upper or the under signs, according as the light goes
with or against the stream. I must add that the last term, which
depends on the dispersive power of the fluid, has been omitted by
Michelson and Morley in the comparison of their experiments with
the theory. If it is taken into account, the agreement becomes some-
what worse; it remains however fairly satisfactory, since the influence
of the term is but small.
165. After having found Fresnel's coefficient, we may apply
it to various phenomena, as has already been shown in §§ 152 — 155.
The discussion of many a question may, however, also be based
directly on the theorem of corresponding states without the inter-
vention of the coefficient.
If, for instance, the state of things in the system that is kept
at rest, is such that in some parts of space both the electric and the
magnetic force are continually zero, the corresponding state in the
moving system will be characterized by the absence, in the same
regions, of d' and h', and this involves the absence of d and h. There-
fore, the geometrical distribution of light and darkness must be the
same in the two systems, always provided that the comparison be
made for equal relative frequencies.
An interesting example is afforded by a cylindrical beam of
light. The generating lines of its bounding surface, i. e. the relative
rays, may have the same course in the two systems, even when the
beams are reflected or refracted, so that the translation has no in-
fluence on the laws of reflexion and refraction for the relative rays.
Nor can it change the position of the point where the rays are
brought to a focus by a mirror^) or a lens, and the principle also
shows that the place of the dark fringes in experiments on interference
must remain unaltered.
The condition that is necessary for these conclusions, namely that
the relative frequencies be equal in the two cases, will always be
fulfilled if the source of light has a fixed position with respect to
the rest of the apparatus, sharing its translation or its immobility.
166. It is important to notice that the foregoing results are
by no means limited to isotropic bodies. The case of crystals may
1) Note C9. 2) Note 70.
192 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
easily be included by conceiving either some appropriate regular
arrangement of the particles, or a want of isotropy in the structure
of the individual molecules, revealing itself in the elastic forces being
unequal for different directions of the displacement of an electron.
The latter assumption would require us to represent the components
of the elastic force by expressions of the form
~{fn^^ + fl2^y+flB^^),
-if21^a:+f22% + f2s'\^),
with f2i = fi2j fi2 = fiiy /is^/si) ^^^ foi' the proof of the theorem of
corresponding states it would be necessary to consider the coeffi-
cients f as unaffected by a translation of the system.
After having shown that, in the phenomena of double refraction,
the course of the relative rays is not altered by the motion of the
earth, one can also examine what becomes of Fresnel's coefficient
in the case of crystalline bodies. The result may be expressed as
follows:
If, foi a definite direction s of the relative ray, u and u are the
velocities of this ray in a crystal that is kept at rest and in the
same body when moving, then
, v,^
where W^ is the component of the velocity of translation in the
direction of the ray.^)
167. Thus far we have constantly neglected terms of the second
order with respect to '■ — , and in fact in nearly aU the experiments that
have been made in the hope of discovering an influence of the earth's
motion on optical phenomena, it would have been impossible to
detect effects proportional to —^- There are, however, some exceptions,
and these are of great importance, because they give rise to difficult
and delicate problems, of which one has not, as yet, been able to
give an entirely satisfactory solution.
We have in the first place to speak of a celebrated experiment
made by Michelson^) in 1881, and repeated by him on a larger scale
with the cooperation of Morley*) in 1887. It was a very bold one.
1) Note 71.
2) A. A. Miohelson, The relative motion of the earth and the lumini-
ferous ether, Amer. Journ. of Science (3) 22 (1881), p. 20.
3) A. A. Michelson and E. W. Morley, Amer. Journ. of Science (3) 34
(1887), p. 333.
MICHELSON'S EXPERIMENT.
193
B
two rays of light having been made to interfere after having travelled
over paths of considerable length in directions at right angles to
each other. Fig. 9 shows the general arrangement of the apparatus.
The rays of light coming from the
source L are divided by the glass
plate P, which is placed at an angle
of 45", into a transmitted part FA
and a reflected one PjB. After ha-
ving been reflected by the mirrors
A and B, these beams return to
the plate P, and now the part of
the first that is reflected and the
transmitted part of the second pro-
duce by their interference a system
of bright and dark fringes that is
observed in a telescope placed on
the line PC.
The fundamental idea of the experiment is, that, if the ether
remains at rest, a translation given to the apparatus must of ne-
cessity produce a change in the diflPereuces of phase, though one
of the second order. Thus, if the translation takes place in the
direction of FA or AP, and if the length of PA is denoted by L,
a ray of light will take a time ^^p^ for travelling along this path
ff
c
Fig. 9.
C+|W
in one direction, and a time
The total time is
c — w
for going in the inverse direction.
2ic
or, up to quantities of the second order,
^(i+S). (2'»)
so that for the rays that have gone forward and back along PA
there wiU be a retardation of phase measured by
2£w'
There is a similar retardation, though of smaller amount, for the other
beam. In order to see this by an elementary reasoning, one has
only to consider that a ray of this beam, even if it returns, as I shall
suppose it to do, to exactly the same point of the plate P, does not
come back to the same point of the ether, the point of the glass
having moved, with the velocity w of the. earth's translation, over a
certain distance, say from P to P', while the light went from P
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
13
194 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
to B and back. If Q is the point in the ether where the ray reaches
the mirror B, we may say with sufficient approximation that the
points P, Q, P' are the angles of an isoscele triangle, whose height
is L (since the distances PA and PB in the apparatus were equal)
and whose base is — ' -• The sum of the sides PQ and QP' is
c
so that we may write
2yu+-^']f-
2L
e
(1 + £) (280)
for the time required by the second beam.
It appears from this that the motion produces a diiference of
phase between the two beams to the extent of
and this may be a sensible fraction of the period of vibration, if L
has the length of some metres.
The same conclusion may be drawn somewhat more rigorously
from the general formula (254). The time during which a relative
ray travels along a certain path s is found to be
Here the first term represents the time that would be required if
there were no translation, and in the problem now before us the
second has equal values for two paths beginning and ending at the
same points, so that we have only to consider the last term, for
which, using our present notation and putting ju. = 1, we shall write
|jJ(l + cos^^)is. (281)
The paths for which this integral must be calculated may be taken
to be the straight lines indicated in Fig. 9.^) According to what has
been said, COST'S- has the value 1 all along PAP, and the value at
every point of PBP. Therefore our last expression really takes the
two values given by (279) and (280).
Now the difference of phase that is due to the motion of the
earth must be reversed if, by a rotation of the apparatus, the path
of the first ray is made to become perpendicular to the translation,
and that of the second to be parallel to it. Hence, if the phenomena
1) Note 72.
DIMENSIONS OF A BODY CHANGED BY A TRANSLATION. 195
follow the above theory, such a rotation must produce a change
determined by
-f (282)
in the differences of phase, and a corresponding shifting of the
interference bands.
In the original apparatus of Michelson the length L was rather
too small to bring out the effect that was sought for, but in the
later experiments made with Morley the course of the rays was
lengthened considerably. They were repeatedly thrown forwards and
back by mirrors having suitable positions on different sides of the
plate F, and which, together with the other parts of the apparatus,
the source of light and the telescope included, were mounted on a
slab of stone floating on mercury. For each of the rays the lines
along which it had to travel successively nearly coincided, so that
cos^^ may be regarded as constant for the entire course of a ray.
If the values of this constant for the two beams are first 1 and 0,
and afterwards, after a rotation of 90", and 1, the change under-
gone by the differences of phase can be found from (281); it may
still be represented by (282), if we understand by 2i the whole
length of one of the rays. As this length amounted to about
22 metres, the value of (282) is equal to 0,4 times the time of
vibration of yeUow light, and a sensible shift of the bands could
therefore be looked for. In no case, however, the least displacement
of such a kind that it could be attributed to the cause above explain-
ed was observed. A similar result was subsequently obtained by
Morley and Miller^j, who came to the conclusion that, if there is
any effect of the nature expected, it is less than one hundredth part
of the computed value.
168. In order to explain this absence of any effect of the earth's
translation, I have ventured the hypothesis, which has also been pro-
posed by Fitz Gerald, that the dimensions of a solid body undergo
slight changes, of the order — j-, when it moves through the ether.
If we assume that the lengths of two lines L^ and L^ in a ponderable
body, the one parallel and the other perpeudicular to the translation,
which would be equal to each other if the body were at rest, are
to each other in the ratio
1 = 1+5 (283)
during the motion, the negative result of the experiments is easily
accounted for. Indeed, these changes in length wiU produce an
1) E. W. Morley and D. C. Miller, Report of an experiment to detect
the Fitz Gerald-Lorentz effect, Phil. Mag. (6) !» (1905), p. 680.
13*
196 V- OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
alteration in the phases of the interfering rays, amounting to a rela-
tive acceleration
for the ray that is passed along the line having the direction of the
earth's motion, and this acceleration vrill exactly countei-balance the
changes in phase which we have considered in the preceding para-
graph.
The hypothesis certainly looks rather startling at first sight, but
we can scarcely escape from it, so long as we persist in regardiDg
the ether as immovable. We may, I think, even go so far as to say
that, on this assumption, Michelson's experiment jprows the changes
of dimensions in question, and that the conclusion is no less legiti-
mate than the inferences concerning the dilatation by heat or the
changes of the refractive index that have been drawn in many other
cases from the observed positions of interference bands.
169. The idea has occurred to some physicists that, like an
ordinary mechanical strain, the contractions or dilatations of which
we are now speaking, might make a body doubly refracting, and
Rayleigh and Brace have therefore attempted to detect a double
refraction produced by the motion of the earth. Here again the
search has been in vain; no trace of an effect of the kind has
been found.
With a view to this question of a double refraction, and for
other reasons, it seems proper to enter upon a discussion of the electro-
magnetic phenomena in a moving system, not only, as we did at
first, for velocities very small in comparison with the speed of light
c, but for any velocity of translation smaller than c. Though the
formulae become somewhat more complicated, we can treat this pro-
blem by much the same methods which we used before.
Our aim must again be to reduce, at least as far as possible,
the equations for a moving system to the form of the ordinary for-
mulae that hold for a system at rest. It is found that the trans-
formations needed for this purpose may be left indeterminate to a
certain extent; our formulae will contain a numerical coefficient I,
of which we shall provisionally assume only that it is a function
of the velocity of translation tv, whose value is equal to unity
for w = 0, and differs from 1 by an amount of the order of magnitude
-r for small values of the ratio —
c' c
If X, y, s are the coordinates of a point with respect to axes
fixed in the ether, or, as we shall say, the „absolute" coordinates, and
if the translation takes place in the direction of OX, the coordinates
NEW VARIABLES.
197
witli respect to axes moving with the system, and coinciding with
the fixed axes at the instant t = 0, will be
x^ = x-wt, y, = y, z^ = z. (284)
Now, jnstead of x, y, z, we shall introduce new independent variables
differing from these „relatiTe" coordinates by certain factors that are
constant throughout the system. Putting
I define the new variables by the equations
x'=^Ux^, y'=^ly^, z'=lz^
or
x'=ld{x — wt), y'=ly, z'=lz,
and to these I add as our fourth independent variable
*'=T^-
■ lil-, (x —
c
(x — wt) = M(t 2 a;j ■
(285)
(286)
(287)
(288)
We shall again understand by U the velocity relative to the moving
axes, so that the components of the absolute velocity are
% + ^, ",- ".,
and we shall introduce a new vector u' whose components are
<='I^'K, ^'-^^»y, "; = /*=".• (289)
Let us put, similarly,
9' = ^.9, (290)
and let us define two new vectors d' and h' by the equations
Then the ftmdamental equations take the form^)
div d = (^1 ^,-j () ,
div' h' = 0,
rot'h' = l(U+,'u'),
1 gh'
(291)
rot' d' =
di
(292)
The meaning of the symbols div', rot' and grad', the last of
which we shall have to use further on, is similar to that which we
formerly gave to div, rot and grad, the only difference being that
1) Note 73.
198 y- OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
the differential coefficients with respect to x, y, z (taken for a con-
stant P) are replaced by those with respect to x, y, z (taken for a
constant value of ^'). ')
As to the force f with which the ether acts on unit of electric
charge, its components are found to be
f. = ?^d; + ^^ • I ("/ •'Z - < ^') + ^' ? ("/ ''/ + < ^'^^
(293)
The determination of the field belonging to a system of electrons
may again be made to depend on a scalar potential <f>' and a vector
potential a'. If these are defined by the equations
A'a' 1 3'a' 1 ,.
(294)
in which the symbol A' stands for
8^ 2^ a^
we shall have^)
h' = rot' a'. (296)
The analogy between these transformations and those which we for-
merly used, is seen at a glance. The above formulae are changed into
those of §§ 44 and 45 by neglecting aU terms which are of an order
higher than the first with respect to — , by which Ic and I both take
tlie value 1. In the present more general theory, it is the variable f
defined by (288) that may be termed the local time.
It is especially interesting that the final formulae (292) and
(294) — (296) have exactly the same form as those which we deduced
for small values of w. They differ from the equations for a system
without translation in the manner pointed out in §§ 44 and 45, but, as
1) In a paper „tjber das Doppler'sche Princip", published in 1887 (Gott.
Nachrichten, p. 41) and which to my regret has escaped my notice all these
years, Voigt has applied to equations of the form (6) (§ 3 of this book) a trans-
formation equivalent to the formulae (287) and (28rf). The idea of the trans-
formations used above (and in § 44) might therefore have been borrowed from
Voigt and the proof that it does not alter the form of the equations for the
free ether is contained in his paper.
2) Note 74.
MOVma ELECTROSTATIC SYSTEM. 199
regards the form of the equations, the consideration of greater velocities
of translation has not been attended by any new complications.
170. The problem is greatly simplified when we consider an electro-
static system, i. e. a system of electrons having no other motion
than the common translation w. In this case a' = 0, and consequently
h' = 0. The scalar potential tp', the vector d', and the electric force
f are determined by
A'(jp'=-9', (297)
d' = — grad'qo', (298j
These equations admit of a simple interpretation. Let us compare
the moving system J^, the position of whose points is determined by
the relative coordinates x^, y^, z^, with a system So ^^^^ ^^^ ^^
translation, and in which a point with the coordinates x', y, z cor-
responds to the point (x^, y^, z^) in g, so that, as is shown by (286),
S is changed into j^q if the dimensions parallel to the axis of x are
multiplied by kl, and the dimensions which have the direction of y
or that of z, by I. Then, if dS and dS' are corresponding elements
of volume, we shall have
dS'^JoPdS, (299)
so that, if we suppose corresponding elements of volume to have
equal charges, the density at a point of ^q will be given by the
quantity q' that has been defined by (290).
It follows that the equation which determines the scalar potential
in gg has the same form as the equation (297) which we have found
for qo', and that, therefore, this latter quantity has, at a point P of
S, the same value as the ordinary scalar potential at the correspond-
ing point Pq of So- The equation (298) further teUs us that the
same is true of the vector d' at the point P and the dielectric dis-
placement at the point P^. But, in order to find the components
P
of the electric force in Sj "^^ must multiply those of d' by P, j- ,
72
-r , whereas, in the system ^q, the components of the electric force
are immediately given by those of the dielectric displacement. Hence,
there is between these electric forces a relation that is conveniently
expressed by the formula
the coefficients between the brackets being those by which we
must multiply the components of the force in ^^ i^ order to get
those of the force in g. Since corresponding elements have equal
200 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
charges, the same relation exists between the forces actijig on cor-
responding electrons.
It is to be observed that corresponding electrons in the two
systems occupy corresponding parts of space, and that, while their
charges are equal, they are geometrically dissimilar; if the electrons
in ^^ are spheres, those in §„ are lengthened ellipsoids.
Let us also remember that the potential at a poiat F^ of }^q,
and, consequently, the quantity (p' at the corresponding point P of
g, can be calculated by means of the formula
where we have denoted by / the distance between a point Q^ of the
element dS' and the point P^. The integration is to be extended to
aU elements in ^^ where there is a charge.
The comparison of a moving system with a stationary one will
be found of much use in the remaining part of this chapter, and
it is therefore proper to settle once for all that, if we speak of
;«> and ^p, we shall always mean two systems of this kind, and that
the index wiU constantly serve to denote the stationary system.
171. With a view to later developments it wiU be well to put
the foregoing statements in yet another form. Let us, for a while,
discard aU thoughts of the imaginary system j»5q, and confine ourselves
to the system f-^ with which we are really concerned. We may intro-
duce for this, as we have already done, the quantities x, y, s, and
we may even use them for the determination of the position of a
point, because they are related iu a definite manner to the values of
x^, y^, s,.. Let them be called the effective coordinates, and let us
define the effective distance between two points whose effective coordi-
nates are x^, y^, z^, x^, y^, g^' as the quantity
/ = Vix^ - x^y + (y,' - y,y + (,,'- z,y.
If dx^, dy^, dg^ are infinitely small increments of the relative coor-
dinates, the corresponding increments of the effective coordinates
wiU be
dx' = Iddx^, dy = Idy^, ds = Idz^,
and, of course, the parallelepiped having dx, dy, ds for its edges
may be said to be determined by these increments dx, dy', dz . If,
instead of the ordinary unit of volume, we choose a unit W times
smaller, the volume of the parallelepiped will be expressed by the
product dx'dy'dz, and, on the same scale, an element of any form
that is given in ordinary measure by dS, wiU have a volume
dS' = JcPdS. (302)
MOVING AND STATIONARY ELECTROSTATIC SYSTEM COMPARED. 201
This is equal to the dS' in the equation (299), but the symbol has
got a new meaning. Having already used several times the vi^ord
„effective", I shall now — only for the sake of uniformity and without
attaching any further meaning to the words — call dS' the effective
element of volume. A point within dS will also be said to belong
to the effective element dS'.
Finally, if the charge gdS of an element dS is divided by the
magnitude of the effective element dS', we get the quantity q that
is defined by (290). For this reason it is not inappropriate to call q
the effective density of the charge.
It wiU now be clear that the operations involved in the symbol
on the right-hand side of the equation (301) may be described in
terms relating only to the real system, the denominator r' being the
effective distance between a point of the effective element dS' and
the point P for which we want to calculate (p' This potential having
been determined, its partial differential coefficients with respect to the
effective coordinates, taken with the signs reversed, wiU represent
the components of the vector d'.
It is only for moving systems that we have had reason to
distinguish between the effective coordinates and the „true" coordi-
nates, the effective elements of volume and the „true" ones, etc.; as
soon as w = 0, we shall have x = x^= x, y = yr= y, ■^' = 3^.= z,
dS'=dS, q'=q, etc. Yet, for the very reason of these equalities,
we are free also to speak of the effective coordinates, the effective
density, etc. in the case of a stationary system; only, we must not
forget that in this case these quantities are identical with the true
coordinates, the true density, etc. Similarly, we may always speak
of the vector d', remembering that it is identical with d when there
is no translation.
I have dwelled at some length on these questions of denomi-
nation, because in intricate problems a proper choice of terms is
of much value. That which we have now made enables us to con-
dense into few words what was said in the last paragraph about the
systems {^ and ^^, namely: In two electrostatic systems, the one moving
and the other not, in which the effective density of the electric
charge is the same function of the effective coordinates, the vector d'
will be the same at corresponding points, and the forces will be re-
lated to each other in the way expressed by (300).
172. Let us now return from this digression to the hypothesis
by which we have tried to account for the result of Michelson's
experiment. We can understand the possibility of the assumed
change of dimensions, if we keep in mind that the form of a
solid body depends on the forces between its molecules, and that, in
202 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
all probability, tbese forces are propagated by the intervening ether
in a way more or less resembling that in which electromagnetic
actions are transmitted through this medium. From this point of
view it is natural to suppose that, just like the electromagnetic forces,
the molecular attractions and repulsions are somewhat modified by a
translation imparted to the body, and this may very well result in a
change of its dimensions.
Now, it is very remarkable that we find exactly the amount of
change that was postulated in § 168, if we extend to molecular
actions the result found for the electric forces, i. e. if, comparing two
systems of molecules g and gp in which the particles have the same
effective coordinates, we admit for the molecular forces the relation
expressed by (300).
Indeed, this equation implies that if F(g(,) = 0, F(S) is so like-
wise, so that when, in the system ^j, each molecule is in equilibrium
under the actions exerted on it by its neighbours, the same will be
true for the system [«i. Hence, taking for granted that there is but
one position of equilibrium of the particles, we may assert that, in
the moving system ^, the molecules wiU take of themselves the
arrangement corresponding, in the manner specified by (286), to
the configuration existing in g,,. Since x', y', z are the true coordi-
nates in this latter system, and x^, y^, g^ the relative coordinates in
|-5, the change of dimensions in different directions is given by the
coefficients in (286), and the two lines of which we have spoken in
§ 168 will be to each other in the ratio
which agrees with the value (283), if quantities of an order higher
than the second are neglected.
173. It is a matter of interest to inquire whether our assump-
tions demand the same change of dimensions for bodies whose shape
and size depend in a smaller or greater measure on their molecular
motions. As a preliminary to this question, I shall consider a
system of points having, besides a common translation w, certain
velocities U. For each of them the coordinates x^, y^, z^ are definite
functions of the time t, and
-^ = II -^ - II ^ _ II
dt ^' dt y dt ~ "»•
But we may also say that for each the effective coordinates x, y', s
are functions of the local time t' , which I shall henceforth also term
the effective time, and we may calculate the differential coefficients
of x, y, z with respect to t' in terms of those of x^, y^, z^ with
MOLECULAR MOTION. 203
respect to t. In doing so I shall suppose the velocities u^, u, , u^ to
be so small that terms that are of the order of magnitude ^ compared
with those I am going to write down, may he neglected. Then the
result is^)
dx _ p dx^ dp' , dy^
dt' "' dt ' dt' ~ '^ ~dt '
dz' 1 dz^
dt' " dt '
d^x' k'd'x^ d^y' Tc^ d^y^
dt'^ I dt^ ' dt'^ I dt^ >
d^/ k^ d^Zr
dt' ^ ~ r ~df
(303)
The first set of equations shows that -rrr , -Mr , 4-t are the compo-
^ dt ' dt ' dt ^
uents of the vector u' that has been defined in § 169, and it appears
from the second set that, if there are two systems of points g and
^0 moving in such a way that in both the effective coordinates are
the same functions of the effective time, we shall have the following
relation between the accelerations j
J(S) = (,i, i,, ^)j(So)- (304)
This formula, in which the mode of expression is the same as that
which we have used in (300), follows immediately from (303), the
components of the acceleration in g^ being yrTi, 7/2, JVi! ^^*^ those
d X d 11 d z
of the acceleration in g -j-f , -^ , -jrf ■
174. It remains to apply this to a body in which molecular
motions are going on. At ordinary temperatures the velocities of
these are so smaE in comparison with that of light, that the approxi-
mations used in the above formulae seem to be allowable. On the
same ground we may regard the interactions of the molecules to be
independent of the velocities U, and to be determined solely by the
relative positions and the velocity of translation w.
Let S and ^^ be two systems of molecules moving in such a
manner that in both the effective coordinates are the same functions
of the effective time. Let us fix our attention on two corresponding
particles P and P^ in the positions which they occupy for a definite
value, say f, of the effective time. If we wish to know the simul-
taneous positions of the neighbouring particles of go; which are suf-
ficiently near P„ sensibly to act on it, we have only to consider the
values of their coordinates x, y , z for the same value i_ of the effec-
tive, i. e. in this case, the true time. It is otherwise with the moving
system g. Here the instants for which the effective (i. e. now, the
local) time, has a definite value T at different points, are not simul-
1) Note 75.
204 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
taneous, and this would greatly complicate tlie comparison of g and
So, were it not for the relative slowness of the molecular motions,
to which we have already had recourse a moment ago. As it is, we
may, I think, skip over the difficulty. If A is the distance between
the molecule P and another Q near it, the interval between the
moments at which the effective time of P and that of Q have the
chosen value ^, is of the order of magnitude —^- , as appears from
(288). The changes which the relative coordinates of Q with respect
to P undergo during an interval of this length, are of the order
^^-L\f — , or of the order '%"!- compared with A. The corresponding
changes in the components of the force' between P and Q are of the
same order in comparison with the force itself, and may therefore be
neglected since ^ is very small. In other terms, in order to find
the force acting on the molecule P, we may consider as simultaneous
the positions which the surrounding particles occupy at the instants
at which their local times have the value t\ In virtue of our as-
sumption, the relative coordinates in these positions bear to x, y , z ,
i. e. to the corresponding coordinates in g^, the ratios determined by
(286), so that, within the small compass containing P and the mole-
cules acting on it, the body may be said to have its dimensions
changed in the way that has often been mentioned. We infer from
this that the forces acting on corresponding particles, in J>>> and ^q,
are subjected to the relation (300).
On the other hand we have the relation (304) between the
accelerations. Now, if the ratios occurring in (304) und (300) were the
same, we might conclude that, if the state of motion existing in gg
is a possible one, so that for each particle the force acting on it is
equal to the product of its acceleration and its mass, and if the par-
ticles have equal masses in g and }»lp, the state of motion in the
former system which corresponds to that in the latter wiU also be
possible.
As it is, however, the ratios in (300) and (304) are not equal.
The above considerations cannot, therefore, lead \is to a theorem of
corresponding states existing in f«> and gg, unless we give up the
equality of the masses in these systems. We need not, I think, be
afraid to make this step. We have seen that the mass of a free
electron is a function of the velocity, so that, if the corpuscle has
already the translation iv of the body to which it belongs, the force
required for a change of the velocity wiU thereby be altered; we
have further been led to distinguish between a longitudinal and a
transverse mass. Now that we have already extended to the mole-
cular interactions the rule that had been deduced for the electric
LONGITUDINAL AND TRANSVERSE MASS. 205
forces, it will perhaps not be too rash to imagine an alteration in
the masses of the molecules caused by the translation, and even, if
it should prove necessary, to conceive two different masses, one m
(the longitudinal mass) with which we must reckon when we con-
sider the accelerations parallel to OX, and another, ot" (the trans-
verse mass) which comes into play when we are concerned with an
acceleration, either in the direction of Z or in that of OZ.
Dividing the ratios in (300) by the corresponding ones in (304),
we see that, if m^ is the mass of a molecule in the absence of a
translation, the formulae
m
or
'=(z^:^)mo, m"=(|:,^)wo,
m' = Tc^lm^, m"=ldm^ (305)
contain the assumptions required for the establishment of the theorem,
that the systems g and '^^ can be the seat of molecular motions of
such a kind that in. both the effective coordinates of the molecules
are the same functions of the effective time.
Now, if the molecules of ^g, in their irregular motion, remain
confined ^vithin a surface having a constant position, those in ^ will
be continually enclosed by the corresponding surface, i. e. by the one
that is determined by the same equation in x, y , z . Hence, the
translation produces the same changes in the dimensions of the
bounding surface as in those of a body without molecular motions.
The result may be extended to bodies whose shape and size are
partly determined by external forces, such as a pressure exerted by
an adjacent system of molecules, provided only that these forces be
altered equally with those between the particles of the body itself.
175. We are now prepared for a theorem concerning correspond-
ing states of electromagnetic vibration, similar to that of § 162, but
of a wider scope. To the assumptions already introduced, I shall add
two new ones, namely 1. that the elastic forces which govern the vibra-
tory motions of the electrons are subjected to the relation (300), and
2. that the longitudinal and transverse masses m and m of the
electrons differ from the mass m^ which they have when at rest in
the way indicated by (305). The theorem amounts to this, that in
two systems '^ and g„, the one moving and the other stationary,
there can be motions of such a kind, that not only the effective co-
ordinates which determine the positions of the molecules are in both
the same functions of the effective time (so that the translation is
attended with the change of dimensions which we have discussed)
but that the same rule holds for the effective coordinates of the
206 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
separate electrons. Moreover, the components of the vectors d' and
h' will be found to be identically determined by x , y , s, t', both in
S and in So-
In our demonstration we shall regard the displacements of the
electrons from their positions of equilibrium, and the velocities of
vibration as very small quantities, the squares and products of which
may be neglected. We shall also leave aside the resistance that
may tend to damp the vibrations.
Let M and Jf^ be corresponding particles of g and gg, and let
us calculate for these, and for a definite value of the effective time,
say the value ^', the vector p' whose components are
p;=Ze^', p;=^e2/', p;=^e/, (306)
where the sums are extended to all the electrons of the particle con-
sidered. If we suppose the positions and the motions of the electrons
to be such as is stated in the theorem, this vector p' will be found
to be the same for Jf and for Jfp. For the latter particle, p'
is obviously the electric moment at the time chosen. As to the
particle Jf, it is to be noticed that if we calculate the sums for the
chosen value f of the effective time of each electron, the values of
x, y, z in the sums will not be, strictly speaiiing, the coordinates which
the different electrons have simultaneously. On account of the small values
of the vibratory velocities U, we may however simplify the meaning of
the sums by considering x, y , z as the effective coordinates of the
several electrons, such as they are at one and the same moment, namely
the moment when the effective time, taken for a definite point of
the molecule, which may be called its centre, has the special value t\
Then, since the components of the moment of M. at that instant
may be represented by
p,= 2:ex„ p,= 2;ej/„ ^=Eez^, (307)
we shall have, in virtue of (286),
Px'='«^P:.; P!,'=^P!/; P/=^P.-
It may be shown that the values of the potentials tp and a' of
which we have spoken in § 169, are given by the equations, similar
to (35) and (36),
^'=I^-jH^'^'^^S',
where r' is the effective distance between the point P considered and
a point of the effective element dS'. The square brackets mean that,
if we wish to determine (p' and a' for the value t' of the effective
FIELD OP A POLARIZED PARTICLE IN A MOVING SYSTEM, 207
time, we must understand by q' and u' the values existing in dS' at
the effective time f ■
r
c
With the aid of these formulae the electromagnetic field produced
by a molecule may be shown to be determined in rather a simple
manner by the vector p', which we may call the effective moment.
The final formulae, whose form is identical with that of our previous
equations (271) and (272), are^)
d' =
4310*
Ip:J + _L grad'
dx r' dy' r'
d z r
h' = -^rot'
iitc
im\,
(308)
where r is the effective distance between the centre of the molecule
and the point (x', y, z) considered. The square brackets mean that,
if we want to know the values of d' and h' for the instant at which
the local time belonging to this point is t', we must take the values
of p^', p ', p^' for the instant at which the local time of the centre
of the molecule is t' —
The dot indicates a differentiation with
respect to t', and the equations apply as well to the system ^g as
to 8-
176. We have next to fix our attention on some molecule M
of the body j^, and on the one movable electron which we shall
suppose it to contain. The field produced in M by aU the other
molecules of the body may be represented by 2Jd' and S\\' (ct § 160),
but to this we must add the field due to causes outside the body,
for which the equations are
0,
= 0,
div' do' ■■
div' hp
rot' hn
= ytlo,
rot' dg' ■■
(309)
as is seen by putting q = in the formulae (292).
After having found the total values of d' and h', we can use
the equations (293), which, however, may be replaced by
f, = ^^d.
n=
I'^V'
Indeed, so far as d' and h' are due to the vibrations in the other
molecules of the body, these vectors are proportional to the ampli-
1) Note 76.
208 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
tudes, so that all the terms in which their components are multiplied
by uj, Uy' or U/ may be neglected. The corresponding terms with
components of ('^' and Hq' may likewise be omitted, if the intensity
of the external field is sufficiently small, if, for example, this field is
produced by vibrations of very small amplitude in a source of light.
Returning to the comparison of our two systems, we can finish
it in few words. On account of what we know of the accelera-
tions, and of what has been assumed of the masses, it is clear that
the state of things we have imagined can exist both in g and in g^,
if all the forces acting on the electrons satisfy the condition (300).
We have assumed this for the elastic forces, and we can deduce it
for the electric forces from the equations (310), (308) and (309).
The effective moments being the same functions of t' in corresponding
particles of g and go? ^^^ vectors UA' will be so likewise at corre-
sponding points, and we may suppose the same to be true of the
vector dp', since one and the same set of equations, namely (309),
determines it (together with hp'), both for g and for gg. As the com-
ponents of the force acting on unit charge are given by 6J, d,^', d/
for g(,, and by the formulae (310) for g, the condition (300) is
really fulfilled.
177. The generalized theorem of corresponding states may now
serve for the same conclusions which we have drawn from it in its
more restricted form (§ 165). Attention must, however, be called to
the difference in frequency between the corresponding vibrations in
g and 8q. If, for definite values of the eflective coordinates, i. e.
at a definite point of the system, a quantity varies as cos nf, n will
be the frequency in the stationary system, because here t' is the true
time, but for the moving system we shall have
cosnt' = coanl', t — M—^x),
so that here the frequency at a definite point of the system is
I
h
It is remarkable that, when the source of light forms part of
the system, so that it shares the translation w, this frequency wiU
be produced by the actions going on in the radiating particles, if
these actions are such that the frequency would be n if the source
did not move. At least, this is true if we make the natural
assumption that in the source the masses of the electrons and the
elastic forces to which they are subjected, are altered in the same
manner as in a body through which the light is propagated. Then we
may assert that in the source of light too, the effective coordinates
of the electrons can be the same functions of the effective time,
APPLICATION OF THE THBOEEM OF CORRESPONDING STATES. 209
whether the source move or not. If the vibrations are represented
in both cases by formulae containing the factor nt', the frequency
will be n when the source is at rest, and -,-m when it moves. This
shows that in aU experiments made with a terrestrial source of light,
the phenomena will correspond quite accurately to those which one
would observe, using the same source on a stationary planet; the
course of the relative rays, the position of interference fringes, and,
in general, the distribution of light and darkness wiU. be unaltered.
The case of experiments made with a celestial source of light is
somewhat different. In these, the relative frequency w at a point of
our apparatus is equal to the frequency of the source, modified accord-
ing to Doppler's principle (a modification that wiU not exist when we
employ sunlight, as our distance from the sun may be considered as
constant), and the phenomena will correspond to those taking place
with the frequency -^w in a stationary system. Thus, in a dispersive
medium the courses of the relative rays observed with the 2)-lirieB
in sunlight and with a sodium flame, would not coincide exactly. If,
supposing the sun to be at rest relatively to the ether, we caU n
the relative frequency in the first case, it wiH be r^n m the second
case. It is scarcely necessary to add that this is of a purely theoretical
interest, as no phenomenon that can be accurately observed can be per-
ceptibly altered by this change in the frequency of the order —y-
It should further be noticed that, in an experiment planned for
the detection of an influence of the earth's translation, in which we
turn round our apparatus, or repeat our observations after a certain
number of hours, during which it has rotated on account of the
earth's diurnal motion, we are constantly working with the same
relative frequency (whatever be the source of light employed). This
constant frequency v will correspond to a determinate frequency y v
in a system without translation, and the rotation can no more pro-
duce an effect than it would do if we rotated our instruments on a
body without translation, on which we were working with rays of
the frequency y v.
But perhaps I am dwelling for too long a time upon these
subtle questions. What must now be pointed out particularly, is,
that our theorem explains why Rayleigh and Brace have failed to
detect a double refraction. In the experiments of the latter of these
physicists the beam of light that was received by the observer's eye
consisted of two parts, travelling side by side, and having the same
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 14
210 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
state of polarization and also, though they had been passed through
different media, the same intensity. It is clear that, whenever this
equality exists for two such beams in a system without translation,
it must, by our theorem, also be found in the corresponding state
in a moving system.
178. When, in our comparison of two electrostatic systems g
and Sq (§ 171), it was stated that, in both of them, the effective
density of the charge had to be the same function of the effective
coordinates, this implied that the electrons in the two systems are
not of the same shape. In the discussion given in § 175, however,
we have not assumed this, confining ourselves to the two assumptions
stated in the beginning of that paragraph. Indeed, in dealing with
the motion of the electrons we are concerned only with their charges,
their masses and the elastic forces acting on them; aU other par-
ticulars are irrelevant to our final results. Consequently, we may
very well conceive the electrons not to change their form and size
when a body is put in motion (though the dimensions of the body
itself be altered in the above mentioned manner), provided only that
the necessary relations between the elastic forces and the masses of
the electrons, before and after the translation is imparted to the
system, be maintained.
Now, in a theory that attempts to explain phenomena by means
of these minute particles, the simplest course is certainly to consider
the electrons themselves as wholly immutable, as perfectly rigid
spheres, for instance, with a constant uniformly distributed surface-
charge. This is the idea that has been worked out by Abraham,
and on which many of the formulae I have given in Chap. I are
based. But, unfortunately, it is at variance with our theorem of
corresponding states. This requires, as is seen from (305), that the
longitudinal and the transverse mass of an electron be to each other
in the ratio
^ _ 7,2 _ «'
or, up to quantities of the second order,
m' .. w^
m" e^ '
whereas, according to the formulae (6s) and (69), and with the same
degree of approximation, it would be
ni 1 _i_ ^ ^^
m" 5 c^
179. It is for this reason that I have examined what becomes
of the theory, if the electrons themselves are considered as liable to
ELECTROMAGNETIC MASS OF A DEPORMABLE ELECTRON. 211
the same changes of dimensions as the bodies in which they are con-
tained. This assumption brings out the proper ratios between the
masses m^, m, m", provided that we assign the value 1 to the coeffi-
cient I, which we have hitherto left undeterminate.
The electromagnetic mass of the deformable electron is easily
deduced from the theory of electromagnetic momentum, since we can
always apply the general formulae of § 24, whatever be the changes
in the form and size of an electron taking pLice during its motion.
By calculating the electromagnetic momentum G and its rate of
change G, we shall find the force acting on the electron; next,
when we divide by the acceleration, the electromagnetic mass, either
the longitudinal or the transverse one, will become known.
In our calculations we shall ascribe to the electromagnetic mo-
mentum the value which it would have, if the electron were con-
tinually moving with the velocity that exists at the moment con-
sidered, a procedure the legitimacy of which wiU be discussed in a
subsequent paragraph.
The determination of the momentum is even more simple than it
was in the case of a rigid sphere. We have seen that the field of a
moving electrostatic system is known, when the field of another system
that is supposed to be at rest, and whose dimensions difi'er in a de-
finite manner from those of the moving one, is given. Now, if the
system consists of a single electron, of spherical shape and with
uniformly distributed surface charge, so long as it stands stiU, but
ellipsoidal when in motion, as determined by (286), the stationary
system to the consideration of which the problem is reduced, is found
to be precisely the original sphere, so that the field is determined
very easily.
Calling e the charge, and H the radius of the sphere, T find for
the electromagnetic momentum corresponding to the velocity w*)
iG|=-^^-^K (311)
from which, using the formulae (64) and (65), we deduce
diklw) „ e^
m =
m" = „ -,^]cL
6nc^B dw > Gnc^B
or
The latter formula agrees with the second of the equations (305), so
that the only remaining condition is, that the value of m' shall be
equal to that given by the former of those equations. Hence
dQclw) ,.,,
. dw '
1) Note 77.
14*
212 .V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
from which, on account of
dw '
we infer
-, — = 0, Z = const.
The value of this constant must be unity, because, as we know,
? = 1 for w; = 0.
We are thus led so far to specialize the hypothesis that was
imagined for the explanation of Michelson's experimental result,
as to admit, for moving bodies, only a contraction, determined by
the coefficient Jc, in the direction of the line of motion. The elec-
trons themselves become flattened ellipsoids of revolution, their limiting
form, which they would reach if the translation had attained the speed
of light, being that of a circular disk of radius E, perpendicular to
the line of motion.
All this looked very tempting, as it would enable us to predict
that no experiment made with a terrestrial source of light will ever
show us an influence of the earth's motion, even though it were
delicate enough to detect effects, not only of the second, but of any
order of magnitude. But, so far as we can judge at present, the
facts are against our hypothesis.
According to it, the longitudinal and the transverse mass of an
electron would be
m = k^mg, m" = km^,,
or, if we put = /5,
m = (1 - ^^r^l^m^, m" = (1 - /S^)- 1/2^^. (313)
When /3 becomes greater, these values increase more rapidly than those
which we have formerly found for the spherical electron. Therefore,
the determination of —r, for the high velocities existing in the /3-rays
affords the means of deciding between the different theories. Kauf-
mann, who, as early as 1901^), had deduced from his researches on
this subject that the value of ~ increases most markedly, so that
the mass of an electron may be considered as wholly electromagnetic,
has repeated his experiments with the utmost care and for the ex-
press purpose of testing my assumption.^) His new numbers agree
1) W. Kaufmann, Die magnetisclie und elektrische Ablenkbarkeit der
Beoquerelstrahlen und die scheinbare Masse der Elektronen, GOtt. Nachr., Math.-
phys. Kl. 1901, p. 143; tjber die elektromagnetische Masse des Elektrons, ibid.
1902, p. 291; 1903, p. 90.
2) Kaufmann, Uber die Konstitution des Elektrons, Ann. Phys. 19 (1906),
p. 487.
ENERGY OF AN ELECTRON. 213
within the limits of experimental errors with the formulae given by
Abraham, but not so with the second of the equations (313), so
that they are decidedly unfavourable to the idea of a contraction,
such as I attempted to work out.^) Yet, though it seems very likely
that we shall have to relinquish this idea altogether, it is, I think,
worth while looking into it somewhat more closely. After that, it
win be weU also to examine a modification of the hypothesis that
has been proposed by Bucherer and Langevin.
180. In the preceding determination of the mass of the deformed
electron we have availed ourselves of the electromagnetic momentum,
but we have not considered the energy. This was done by Abraham^),
who found that, besides the ordinary electromagnetic energy, the
electron must have an energy of another kind, whose amount is
lessened when the particle is made to move. The truth of this be-
comes apparent when we consider a rectilinear motion of the electron
with variable velocity. The mass is given by
. _ _e^ 73 _ e' (^ w^\-3/2
and the work of the moving force during the element of time dt by
whereas the electromagnetic energy is found to be^)
6nB ' '
'Now, the increment of the first term during the time dt is exactly
equal to the expression (314).
Hence, there must be another energy E of such an amount that,
when added to the second term of (315), it gives a constant sum, and
which is therefore determined by
where C is a constant.
181. The nature of this new energy and the mechanism of the
contraction are made much clearer by the remark, first made by
Poincare*), that the electron will be in equilibrium, both in its ori-
1) See, however, Note S7.
2) M. Abraham, Die Grundhypothesen der Elektronentheorie, Phys. Zeit-
sehrift 5 (1904), p. 576.
3) Note 78.
4) H. Poincare, Sur la dynamique de I'flectron, Rendiconti del Circolo
matematico di Palermo 21 (1906), p. 129.
214 V- OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
ginal and in its flattened form, if it has the properties of a very
thin, perfectly flexible and extensible shell, whose parts are drawn
inwards by a normal stress, having the intensity
-9.
s =
per unit of area, and preserving this magnitude however far the con-
traction may proceed.
The value of S has been so chosen that, so long as the electron
is at rest and has therefore the shape of a sphere with radius B,
the internal force exactly counterbalances the electromagnetic stress
on the outside which is due to the surrounding field.^) Now — and
herein lies the gist of Poincare's remark — the electron, when
deformed as has been stated, will still be in equilibrium under the
joint action of the stress S and the electromagnetic forces.
In order to show this, we shall fix our attention on the com-
ponents of the internal stress acting on a surface element of the
shell; these are found if we multiply S by the projections of the
element on the planes of ys, zx, xy. Now, when the deformation
takes place, these projections are multiplied by the factors 1, -^, -^ ,
from which it appears that the components of the stress are altered
in the same ratios as those of the electromagnetic force (cf. (300)), so
that the equilibrium will still persist. When it is stable, the electron
will necessarily have the configuration corresponding to it; the electro-
magnetic forces exerted on its surface by the ether, modified by
the translation according to our formulae, conjointly with the in-
variable internal stress, will make the electron take the flattened
ellipsoidal form.
Corresponding to the internal stress S there must be a certain
potential energy U, and the above result implies that this energy is
equal to the expression (316). Indeed, if v is the volume of the
ellipsoid, we obviously may write
U = Sv -\- const = ^ — Y^.v + const,
and we have
\l/2
182. Abraham^) has raised the objection that I had not shown
that the electron, when deformed to an ellipsoid by its translation,
would be in stable equilibrium. This is certainly true, but I think
the hypothesis need not be discarded for this reason. The argument
1) Note 79.
2) Abraham, 1. c, p. 578.
STABILITY OP THE STATE OE AN ELECTRON. 215
proves only that the eleotromagrietic actions and the stress of which
we have spoken cannot be the only forces which determine the
configuration of the electron.
If they were, each problem concerning the relative motion of
the parts of the moving ellipsoidal electron would have its counter-
part in a problem relating to the spherical electron without trans-
lation, because the forces of both kinds would satisfy the relation (300).
Now, it is easily seen that, under the joint action of the stresses in
the surrounding field and the constant internal stress S, a spherical
shell would be in stable equilibrium as regards changes of volume,
but that its equilibrium would be unstable with respect to changes
of shape. 1) The same would therefore be true of the moving and
flattened shell. In the case of the latter there would even be in-
stability of orientation, because after a small rotation the electron
does no longer correspond [after the manner indicated by the for-
mulae (286)] to the original sphere, but to a slightly deformed one.
Notwithstanding aU this, it would, in my opinion, be quite
legitimate to maintain the hypothesis of the contracting electrons, if
by its means we could reaUy make some progress in the understanding
of phenomena. In speculating on the structure of these minute par-
ticles we must not forget that there may be many possibilities not
dreamt of at present; it may very well be that other internal forces
serve to ensure the stability of the system, and perhaps, after all,
we are wholly on the wrong track when we apply to the parts of
an electron our ordinary notion of force.
Leaving aside the special mechanism that has been imagined by
Poincare, we are offered the following alternative. Either a spheri-
cal electron must be regarded as a material system between whose
parts there are certain forces ensuring the constancy of its size and
form, or we must simply assume this constancy as a matter of fact
which we have not to analyze any further. In the first case, the
form, size and orientation of the moving ellipsoid will also be
maintained by the action of the system of forces, provided aU of
them have the property expressed in our relation (300). In the other
case we may rest content with simply admitting for the moving
electron, without any further discussion, the ellipsoidal form with
the smaller axis in the line of translation.
183. I must also say a few words about another question that
is connected with the preceding one. In our calculation of the
masses m' and m" in § 179 we have assumed that at any moment
the electromagnetic momentum has the value corresponding, in a
1) Note 80.
216 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
stationary state of motion, to the actual velocity. Particularly, in the
application of the formula (311), it has been presupposed that in a
curvilinear motion the electron constantly has its short axis along
the tangent to the path, and that, while the velocity changes, the
ratio between the axes of the ellipsoid is changing at the same time.
Strictly speaking, it is not absolutely necessary for our results
that the orientation and shape of the electron should follow in-
stantaneously the alterations in direction and velocity of its trans-
lation; they may be supposed to lag somewhat behind. But it is
clear that, at all events, if we want to apply the values of m and
m" to optical phenomena, as we have done, the time of lagging must
be small in comparison with the period of the vibrations of light.
Now, if we choose the latter of the alternatives that presented
themselves in the last paragraph, we may as well simply assert that
there is no lagging at all. But we must not proceed in this summary
manner if we prefer the first alternative. If the form and the orien-
tation of the electron are determined by forces, we cannot be certain
that there exists at every instant a state of equilibrium. Even while
the translation is constant, there may be small oscillations of the
corpuscle, both in shape and in orientation, and under variable
circumstances, i. e. when the velocity of translation is changing either
in direction or in magnitude, the lagging behind of which we have
just spoken cannot be entirely avoided. The case is similar to that
of a pendulum bob acted on by a variable force, whose changes, as
is weU known, it does not instantaneously foUow. The pendulum
may, however, approximately be said to do so when the variations
of the force are very slow in comparison with its own free vibra-
tions. Similarly, the electron may be regarded as being, at every
instant, in the state of equilibrium corresponding to its velocity, pro-
vided that the time in which the velocity changes perceptibly be very
much longer than the period of the oscillations that can be performed
under the influence of the regulating forces. If these vibrations are
much more rapid than those of light, the values (313) of the masses
m' and m" may be confidently applied to the electrons in a body
traversed by a beam of light, and with even more right to free elec-
trons that are deflected from their line of motion by a magnetic or
an electric field.
Of course, since we know next to nothing of the structure of
an electron, it is impossible to form an opinion about the period of
its free oscillations, but perhaps we shall not be far from the mark
if we suppose it to correspond to a wave-length of the same order
of magnitude as the diameter.
It appears from these considerations that the idea of a deforma-
bility of the electrons would give rise to several new problems. One
EIGID SPHERICAL ELECTRONS. 217
of these would be that of the rotation of these particles. An electron
is set spinning whenever a magnetic force to which it is exposed
undergoes a change, and it would be necessary to obtain an insight
into the peculiarities of the motion imparted in cases of this kind
to our flattened ellipsoids.
184. As has already been observed (§ 178\ the often mentioned
changes in the internal forces, and consequently in the dimensions
of a body can be imagined without extending the assumption to the
electrons themselves and the question therefore naturally arises,
whether after all we may not get a satisfactory theory by simply
adhering to the idea of rigid sphei'ical electrons. This course would
be open to us, if the discrepancy between the values of „ given at
the end of § 178 could be shown to have no perceptible influence
on observed phenomena. In examining this point we are led back
to the question of double refraction of which we have already
spoken.
A glance at the formulae that have served us in Chap. IV for
treating the propagation of light in a system of molecules, shows
that the term m'n^ = ^— | in equation (201) is the only one which
contains the mass of an electron. Moreover if, confining ourselves
to perfectly transparent bodies (not subjected to an external magnetic
force), we leave aside the resistance to the vibrations, that term
is also the only one in which there is any question of the frequency.
It follows that all depends on the product mn^, and that a change
of in, say in the ratio of 1 to a, will have the same effect as a
change of n in the ratio of 1 to «'/*.
Let us now suppose for a moment that the values of the two
masses of an electron, though not exactly equal to the expressions (313),
are at least proportional to these, say
m' = aWm^, m" = aJcm^, (317)
where the coefficient « is a certain function of the velocity of trans-
lation tr, equal to unity for w = 0, and differing from 1 by a quantity
of the second order when w is small. Then, the phenomena in a
moving system ^ and those in a stationary one ^^ will correspond
to each other as formerly explained, provided that the mass of the
electrons in the system go be not m,^ but um,^. If the body considered
were originally isotropic, a change of the mass of its electrons from m^
to am^ certainly would not make it doubly refracting. Hence, the
moving body whose electrons have the masses (317), can be so
neither. It must be singly refracting, and we may be sure that
practically it wiU present the same phenomena, in experiments, that
218 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
is, in which the source of light moves with it, as it would do when
kept at rest. It is true that there wiU be a difference equivalent to
that which could be caused by a change of the mass of an electron
from JWg to aniQ, or by one of the frequency to a corresponding
amount (of the second order), but certainly this can have no per-
ceptible influence.
We shall next consider the case that the longitudinal and the
transverse mass of an electron bear to each other a ratio different
from ]c^. Let us write for their values
m' = h'm^, m" = h"m^,
where li and h" are factors having similar properties as the above
coefficient a. Then the phenomena in the body ^ correspond to
those in a body gj in which the electrons would have a mass
V
with respect to accelerations parallel to OX, and a mass
h"
with respect to accelerations at right angles to that line. A body
of this kind would undoubtedly show a double refraction, and so
would the moving body g corresponding to it. If, for example, a
ray of light were propagated along a line perpendicular to OX, say
in the direction of Y, the velocity of propagation would be different
according as the vibrations were parallel to OX or to OZ. The
frequency of the light used being denoted by n, the velocity of pro-
pagation of one vibration would be (by the theorem with which we
have begun this paragraph) as if the frequency were
and that of the other as if it were
the masses being taken equal to m^ in both cases.
185. For a spherical electron we have, according to the for-
mulae (70) and (71), if we neglect terms of an order higher than
the second,
A'=i + |^^, r= 1 + 1^2
and, as we may put
the above values become
(l-|,/^> and (l-4/3^)n,
SEARCH FOR DOUBLE REFRACTION CAUSED BY TRANSLATION. 219
showing a difference of
since the velocity of the earth is one ten-thousandth part of the
speed of light. In the case of water, and for yellow light, this
change of frequency would produce a change in the index of refrac-
tion of about 2 10~ii, and this, therefore, would be the difference
between the two principal refractive indices which we might expect
ia the double refraction experiment.
It is scarcely necessary to say that Rayleigh's^) and Brace's^)
observations were conducted in such a manner that a double refrac-
tion in which one of the principal directions of vibration would be
parallel to the earth's motion could manifest itself. As I mentioned
already, the results were invariably negative, though Brace's means
of observation were so sensitive that a difference between the prin-
cipal refractive indices of 10~^^ could not have escaped him. This is
about the twentieth part of the value which we have just computed.
It is true that we have based our calculations on certain
assumptions that could be changed for others, and Brace himself
has made the calculation in a different manner. Yet, I think, we
may confidently conclude that it will be extremely difficult to reconcile
the result of his observations with the idea of rigid spherical electrons.
It must be added that, if we adhered to this idea, our con-
siderations concerning the molecular motions in a moving system
would also require some modification.
186. We have seen in § 184 that there would be no contradic-
tion with Brace's results, if the ratio between the longitudinal and
the transverse mass had the value Jc^. This raises the question as
to whether this latter ratio can be obtained without the assumption
1=1, which has been the origin of aU our difficulties. Unfortunately,
this way out is barred to us, the equation
d{klw)
dw
11 =
being satisfied only by a constant value of I.
For this reason the optical experiments do not allow us to
suppose, as has been done by Bucherer') and Langevin*), that a
1) Rayleigh, Does motion through the aether cause double refraction?
Phil. Mag. (6) 4 (1902), p. 678.
2) D. B. Brace, On double refraction in matter moving through the aether,
Phil. Mag. (6) 7 (1904), p. 317.
3) A. H. Bucherer, Mathematische Einfiihrung in die Elektronentheorie,
Leipzig, 1904, p. 57 a. 58.
4) P. Langevin, La physique des flectrons. Revue gen&ale des sciences
pures et appliqnees 16 (1905), p. 257.
220 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
moving electron is deformed to an ellipsoid of the form and orien-
tation which I have assigned to it, but having the original volume,
instead of the original equatorial radius. This assumption obviously
amounts to putting I = li~ ^1^ , so that the dimensions of the electron
would be altered in the ratios h"^!^ , W^, W^. When we use this
value of I, the two electromagnetic masses become
m'=(l-/3r^/Hl-i/30»^o, (318)
m _ 1— 1(3^
giving for the ratio
instead of
m" \ — ^^>
If we apply to this hypothesis the same mode of calculation as
to that of rigid spheres, we are led to a double refraction that is
even a little stronger, so that the contradiction with Brace's experi-
ments would remain the same.
This is certainly to be regretted as the new assumption has
unmistakeable advantages over my original one. It is in sufficient
agreement with Kaufmann's results, and the idea of a constant vo-
lume is indeed very simple. Following it we should not be obliged, as
we were in § 180, to admit the existence of another energy than the
ordinary electromagnetic one. This is confirmed by the magnitude
of the electromagnetic energy^)
and the expression
derived from (318), for the work of the force, in case the electron
has a rectilinear motion of variable velocity. The latter quantity is
equal to the increment of the former in the time dt.
187. It is interesting, now to turn once more to the hypo-
thesis 1=1, combined with the formulae (305) for the masses (assu-
ming as a matter of fact the influence of the translation on the
masses expressed by these equations), and to consider the equations
1) Note 81.
GENERAL ELECTROMAGNETIC EQUATIONS FOR A MOVING SYSTEM. 221
for the propagation of light in moving transparent bodies to which
it leads. We have seen that the vectors d', h', p' can be the same
functions of x' , y , z', t' both in a moving system g and in a statio-
nary one §0. The same must be true of some other vectors that
can be derived from them, viz. 1. the vector E' which we define as the
mean value d' of d', taken, in g^ for a spherical space, infinitely
small in a physical sense, with its centre at the point considered,
and in g for the space corresponding to that sphere, 2. the mean
value h' defined in the same way, and to be denoted by H', 3. the
vector
V = N'f,', (319)
where, in the formulae for both systems, we understand by N the
number of molecules which ^^ contains per unit of volume, and
4. a vector D' defined by the equation
D = E'+P'
(320)
Since all these vectors can be, in §„ and in g, the same functions
of x, y', z', t', the equations by which they are determined must be
such that they can be written in the same form.
Now, for the system gg, x, y, z , t' are the true coordinates and
the true time, whereas the above vectors are what we formerly caUed
E, H, P and D. As we know that they satisfy the equations
(321)
div D = 0,
div H = 0,
rot H = -
c
dt '
rot E = -
1 aH
c dt
we may be sure that, for the moving system,
div' D' = 0,
div' H' = 0,
,, „, 1 ao'
rot H = — r.,,- ,
c dt '
rot' E' = -
1 cW
(322)
where the symbols div' and rot' have the meaning that has been ex-
plained in § 169.
To (321) must be added the relation between E and D, and to
(322) a corresponding relation between E' and D', so that, if we write
D = F(L), (323)
222
V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
we shall also have
FiEy
(324)
Here, the symbol F must be understood in a very general sense;
it is meant to include aU forms which the equations may take
according to the special properties of the body considered. If the
first formula contains, as may very weU be'), differential coefficients
with respect to t, we shall find in the second the corresponding
differential coefficients with respect to t'.
Putting D = E, and similarly D' = E', we obtain the equations
for the free ether. These, however, may be left in the form
div d = 0,
div h = 0,
1 ad
rot h =
'dt
, . 1 ah
rot d = KT
e dt
(325)
div' d'
= 0,
div' h'
= 0,
rot' h'
1
c
ad'
rot' d'
= —
1 ah'
c dt'
for the system gj, there being no necessity for considering mean
values when there are no molecules, and we may write for them
(326)
when we are concerned with >^.
As the ether does not share the translation w, the two last sets
of equations serve for exactly the same phenomena. The one is
derived from the other by purely mathematical transformations, the
only difference between the two being, that the electromagnetic field
is referred to axes fixed in the ether and to the „true" time in (325),
but to moving axes and „local" time in (326), and that it is de-
scribed in the two cases by means of different vectors. On the con-
trary, the phenomena to which the equations (321, 323) and (322,
324) apply, though corresponding to each other, cannot be said to be
identical.
188. Having got thus far, we may proceed as is often done in
theoretical physics. We may remove the scaffolding by means of
which the system of equations has been built up, and, without
troubling ourselves any more about the theory of electrons and the
1) Note 82.
EINSTEIN'S THEORY. 223
difficulties amidst which it has landed us, we may postulate the
above equations as a concise and, so far as we know, accurate de-
scription of the phenomena. From this point of view, E, H, D
in one system, and E', H', D' in the other, are simply „certain"
vectors, about whose meaning we say just so much as is necessary
for fixing unequivocally for every case their directions and magni-
tudes.
As to the grounds on which the equations recommend them-
selves, these are: 1. that the formulae (321), combined with suitable
assumptions concerning the relation between E and D, can serve for
the explanation of optical phenomena in transparent bodies, whether
singly or doubly refracting, 2. that the identity in form of (321, 323)
and (322, 324) accounts for the failure of all attempts to discover
an influence of the earth's motion by experiments with terrestrial
sources, and 3. that the equations (322, 324) give the right value
for Fresnel's coefficient.
189. The denominations „effective coordinates", „effective time"
etc. of which we have availed ourselves for the sake of facilitating
our mode of expression, have prepared us for a very interesting
interpretation of the above results, for which we are indebted to
Einstein.^) Let us imagine an observer, whom we shall call A^ and
to whom we shall assign a fixed position in the ether, to be engaged
in the study of the phenomena going on in the stationary system g^.
We shall suppose him to be provided with a measuring rod and a
clock, even, for his convenience, let us say, with a certain number
of clocks placed at various points of ^q, and adjusted to each other
with perfect accuracy. By these means he will be able to determine
the coordinates x, y, z for any point, and the time t for any instant,
and by studying the electromagnetic field as it manifests itself at
different places and times, he wiU be led to the equations (321, 323).
Let J. be a second observer, whose task it is to examine the
phenomena in the system ^, and who himself also moves through
the ether with the velocity w, without being aware either of this
motion or of that of the system ^.
Let this observer use the same measuring rod (or an exact copy
of it) that has served A^, the rod having acquired in one way or
another the velocity w before coming into his hands. Then, by our
assumption concerning the dimensions of moving bodies, the divisions
of the scale will in general have a length that differs from the ori-
1) See Ann. d. Phys. 17 (1905), p. 891; 18 (1905), p. 639; 20 (1906), p. 627;
21 (1906), p. 583; 23 (1907), p. 197, 371, and the comprehensive exposition of
Einstein's theory.- tJber das Relativitatsprinzip und die aus demselben ge-
zogenen Folgerungen, Jahrb. d. Kadioaktivitiit u. Elel?tronik 4 (1908), p. 411.
224 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
ginal one, and will even change whenever the rod is turned round,
the law of these changes being, that, in corresponding positions in
^0 and ,S, the rod has equal projections on the plane YOZ, but
projections on OX whose ratio is as ]c to 1. It is clear that, since
the observer is unconscious of these changes, he will be unable
to measure the true relative coordinates x^ of the points of the
system. His readings will give him only the values of the effec-
tive coordinates x' and, of course, those of y', z which, for l=\,
are equal to y^, z^. Hence, relying on his rod, he will not find the
true shape of bodies. He wiU take for a sphere what really is an
ellipsoid, and his cubic centimetre will be, not a true cubic centi-
metre, but a parallelepiped /c times smaller. This, however, contains
a quantity of matter, which, in the absence of the translation, would
occupy a cubic centimetre, so that, if A counts the molecules in Ms
cubic centimetre, he will find the same number iV as ^q. Moreover, his
unit of mass wiU be the same as that of the stationary observer, if
each of them chooses as unit the mass of the water occupying a
volume equal to }ds cubic centimetre.
With the clocks of A the case is the same as with his measu-
ring rod. If we suppose the forces in the clock-work to be liable
to the changes determined by (300), the motion of two equal clocks,
one in ,S„ and the other in [->, will be such that the effective coordi-
nates of the moving parts are, in both systems, the same functions
of the effective time. Consequently, if the hand of the clock in Qq
returns to its initial position after an interval of time ©, the hand
of the clock in ,S 'w^iU do so after an increment equal to of the
effective time f. Therefore, a clock in the system [^ will indicate
the progress of the effective time, and without his knowing anything
about it, J.'s Clocks wiU go li times slower than those of A^^.
190. It foUows from what has been said that, if the moving
observer measures the speed of light, by making a ray of light travel
from a point P to a point Q, and then back to P, he will find the
value c. This may be shown for every direction of the line PQ^),
but it wiU suffice to give the proof for the case that the line is
either parallel to OX, or at right angles to it. If L is the distance
between P and Q as measured by A, then in the first case the true
distance is y, and, as both points move through the ether with the
velocity w, the time required by the ray of light is
- (--- + -' -^ = -^- - = ^^ • r327^
1) Note 83.
MEASUREMENTS IN A MOVING SYSTEM. 225
In the second case the light has to travel along two sides of an
isoscele triangle (cf. § 167), whose height is L and whose half base is
to one of the sides as tv to c. The side is therefore
V
and the time taken by the beam of light to return to its starting
point is again given by (327). As ^'s clock goes h times too slow,
it will mark an interval of time " , so that the observer wiR con-
elude that the velocity of the rays is equal to c.
Let us now suppose him to be provided with a certain number
of clocks placed at different points of his system, and to adjust these
clocks to each other by the best means at his disposal. In order to
do so with two clocks placed at the points P and Q, at a measured
distance L from each other, he may start an optical signal from P
the moment at which the first clock marks the time t' = 0, and
so set the second clock that, at the arrival of the signal, it marks
the time — , making allowance in this way for the time of passage
of the light which he judges to be -~ •
Let us suppose that P lies at the origin of coordinates, and Q
on the positive axis of x; further, that a clock without translation and
therefore indicating the true time, marks the instant at the moment
of signalling. Then, on account of the different rates of a moving
and a stationary clock, we shall have continually for the clock at P
K
At the moment of arrival of the signal the true time wiU be
L
k(c — IV) '
since this is the interval required for the passage of the light be-
tween the points P and Q, which move with the velocity w and
whose true distance is -y- ■
k
Now, since at this moment the time indicated by the clock at Q
is — , its indication, at any other true time t, will be
*'" c + /fc r lc{c-w)]>
or, since L = x
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 15
,, _ 1 . W ,
226 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
This agrees exactly with (288), so that we see that when the
clocks are adjusted by means of optical signals, each of them wiU
indicate the local time t' corresponding to its position.
The proof may easily be extended to other directions of the
line joining the two places.')
191. It is of importance not to forget that, in doing all that
has been said, the observer would remain entirely unconscious of
his system moying (with himself) through the ether, and of the
errors of his rod and his clocks.
Continuing his researches he may now undertake a study of the
electromagnetic phenomena in his system, in exactly the same manner
in which A^ has done so in his. We can predict what his results
will be, because we know the phenomena by our theorem of corre-
sponding states. From this we can infer that, if the moving observer
determines velocities and accelerations in terms of his effective co-
ordinates and his effective time, if he deduces the intensity of forces
from the acceleration which they give to unit of mass, and if he
measures electric charges in the ordinary way by means of the electro-
static actions which they exert on each other, his unit of electricity
win be equal to that chosen by A^. His density of charge, on the
contrary, wiU not be the true density q, but what we have caUed
the effective density q. Further, if he determines the force acting
on unit charge at some point of the electromagnetic field, he will
find the vector d'.-) Similarly he will be led to consider the vector h',
and, pursuing his study, he will sooner or later come to establishing
the equations that determine the field, namely the formulae (326) for
the free ether and (322, 324) for a ponderable body.
He may attain this latter object by different courses. Perhaps he
will be satisfied with the idea that D' is a certain vector which he has
for the first time occasion to introduce when working: with a charged
condenser. Or, if he develops a theory of electrons, he will get the
notion of the electric moment of a particle, whose components he
will naturally define by the expressions '^ex', "^cy, ^e/, so that
what he calls the moment is in reality the vector p' of our equa-
tions (306). After having introduced it, the moving observer will
define P' and D' by the formulae (319) and (320).
We may sum up these considerations by saying that, if both ^^
and A were to keep a record of their observations and the con-
clusions drawn from them, these records would, on comparison, be
found to be exactly identical.
192. Attention must now be drawn to a remarkable reciprocity
that has been pointed out by Einstein. Thus far it has been the
1) Note 84. 2) Note 85.
EINSTEIN'S THEORY. 227
task of the observer A^ to examine the phenomena in the stationary
system, whereas A has had to confine himself to the system g. Let
us now imagine that each observer is able to see the system to which
the other belongs, and to study the phenomena going on in it. Then,
Ag will be in the position in which we have all along imagined
ourselves to be (though, strictly speaking, on account of the earth's
motion, we are in the position of A)-, in studying the electromagnetic
field in g, he wiU be led to introduce the new variables x', y , /,
d', h', etc. and so he wiU establish the equations (326) and (322, 324).
The reciprocity consists in this that, if the observer A describes in
exactly the same manner the field in the stationary system, he will
describe it accurately.
In order to see this, we shall revert to the equations (287) and
(288), which in our present hypothesis I = 1 take the form
x =l{x — ivi), y'=y, z'=z, i ='k\t—^_x\. (328)
Let P be a point belonging to the system ^q and let us fix
our attention on the coordinate x which it has with respect to the
moving axes of |^, for two definite values t' and f + Ai' of the
local time. Since x is constant for this point P, we have by the
last of the above equations
K
and by the first
Aa;' = — hwtit = — w£^t'.
Judging by bis means of observation, the observer A wiH therefore
ascribe to the system ^f, a velocity w in a direction opposite to that
of the positive axis of x' .
Just as Af^, in his theory of the electromagnetic field in '^, has
changed the coordinates x, y, z, the time t and the electromagnetic
vectors d, h, E, H, P, D for the variables (328), the vectors d', h',
whose components are
K-K, d; = ^(d,-fh,), d; = ^d,+ ^h,).
(329)
and the vectors E', H', P', D', so the observer A will introduce, in-
stead of the quantities x, y , z, t', d', etc. which belong to his system,
certain new quantities which we shall distinguish by double dashes,
and which will serve him in his theory of the system S„.
He win define these new quantities by equations analogous to
(328) and (329), replacing w by — ir, which however does not affect,
the constant h. His transformation will therefore be as foUows
1.5*
(330)
(331)
228 "V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
x"=li{x' + wt'), y" = y, /' = /, t"==lc{t' + ^,x),
If he also defines the vectors E", H", D" similarly to A^s definition
of E', H', D', the observer A will finally find the following equations,
to be applied to the system go; and corresponding to (326), (322,
324); for the ether
div"d"=0,
div"h"=0,
rot n = — „-7r ,
c dt
.,, J" 1 9h"
rot d = Krrr ,
c ot
and for a ponderable body
divD"=0,
divH"=0,
1 3D"
V dt" '
l^dW"
c > t" '
D" = ^-(£'0
The symbols div" and rot" will require no further explanation.
(332)
rot" H"
rot"E" =
(333)
(334)
193. It* remains to show that these formulae contain an accurate
description of the phenomena in ^{,. The proof of this is very
simple, because, if we look at them somewhat more closely, the
equations are found to be the same which ^^ has used for the
purpose.
Indeed, if we solve x, y, s, t from the equations (328) and d^,
d , d^, h^, h , hj from (329), we find values agreeing exactly with
(330) and (331), so that
x" = x, y" = y, z"=z, t"=t,
d"=d, h"=h,
by which the identity of the sets of equations (332) and (325) is
demonstrated. As to the equations (333, 334) and (321, 323), the
only difference between the two sets is, that one contains the vectors
E" and D", and the other the vectors E and D. If these four quan-
tities are considered simply as „certain" vectors (represented by
PRINCIPLE OP RELATIVITY. 229
symbols the choice of which is immaterial), this similarity in form,
together with our knowledge that in free ether E"=E, D"= D,
H"=H (since for this medium E"=D"=d", E = D = d, H"=h"^
H = h) must, and can, suffice for our conclusion that the phenomena
in the system S„ can be described by means of the equations (333,
334) just as weU as by (321, 323).
We may go a step farther if we suppose that the moving and
the stationary observer, or rather theorist, as they have now become,
establish a theory of molecules and of electrons. A^ has defined
E', H' as the mean values of d', h', and for the other vectors he has
used the equations
D' = E' + P'.
Similarly, A wiU define E" and H" as the mean values of d" and h",
so that these vectors become equal to the mean values of d and h,
i. e. to E and H. He will put for each molecule
and further
P" = JVp",
D ' = E + F.
Comparing these formulae with (307) (for which we may write
p^ = '^ex, etc.) and the equations P = iVp, D = E + P, and keep-
ing in mind that x" = x, y"=y, z"=z, we see that reaUy
p"=p, P' = P, D'=D.
194. It will be clear by what has been said that the impressions
received by the two observers A^ and A would be alike in aU re-
spects. It would be impossible to decide which of them moves or
stands still with respect to the ether, and there would be no reason
for preferring the times and lengths measured by the one to those
determined by the other, nor for saying that either of them is in
possession of the „true" times or the „true" lengths. This is a point
which Einstein has laid particular stress on, in a theory in which
he starts from what he calls the principle of relativity, i. e. the prin-
ciple that the equations by means of which physical phenomena may
be described are not altered in form when we change the axes of
coordinates for others having a uniform motion of translation rela-
tively to the original system.
I cannot speak here of the many highly interesting applications
which Einstein has made of this principle. His results concerning
electromagnetic and optical phenomena (leading to the same contra-
230 V. OPTICAL PHENOMENA IN MOVING BODIES.
diction with Kaufmann's results that was pointed out in § 179) agree
in the main with those which we have obtained in the preceding
pages, the chief difference being that Einstein simply postulates
what we have deduced, with some difficulty and not altogether satis-
factorily, from the fundamental equations of the electromagnetic field.
By doing so, he may certainly take credit for making us see in the
negative result of experiments like those of Michelson, Rayleigh
and Brace, not a fortuitous compensation of opposing effects, but
the manifestation of a general and fundamental principle.
Yet, I think, something may also be claimed in favour of the
form in which I have presented the theory. I cannot but regard the
ether, which can be the seat of an electromagnetic field with its
energy and its vibrations, as endowed with a certain degree of sub-
stantiality, however different it may be from aU ordinary matter. In
this line of thought, it seems natural not to assume at starting that
it can never make any difference whether a body moves through the
ether or not, and to measure distances and lengths of time by means
of rods and clocks having a fixed position relatively to the ether.
It would be unjust not to add that, besides the fascinating
boldness of its starting point, Einstein's theory has another marked
advantage over mine. Whereas I have not been able to obtain for
the equations referred to moving axes exactly the same form as for
those which apply to a stationary system, Einstein has accomplished
this by means of a system of new variables slightly different from
those which I have introduced.^) I have not availed myself of his
substitutions, only because the formulae are rather complicated and
look somewhat artificial, unless one deduces them from the principle
of relativity itself^)
1) Note 86. 2) Note 87.
NOTE 8.^)
1 (Page 6). Equation (4) is equivalent to the three formulae
^ _ ^ = A y-
dy dz c dt '
dz dx e dt '
dhy dh^ _ 1 3dj
dx dy e dt
When the second of these, differentiated with respect to 2, is
subtracted from the third, differentiated with respect to y, we find
L /^.r <Shj,dK\_.. _ 1 A M _ ^<^A ri)
dxKdx'^ dy^ cs) ^ c dtXdy dz)' ^^^
or, if (3) and (5) are taken into account,
Ah =i^^.
^"^ c' dt^
Corresponding formulae for hj^, h. and for the components of d
are obtained in a similar manner.
It may be noticed that the quantity
^ /Shy _ dh^\ _ d_ tdj\^ _ ah,\
dy\dx dy) dz\dz dx)'
which we have calculated in the above transformation, is the first
component of the rotation of rot h, or, as we may say, of rot rot h,
and that the expression on the left-hand side of (I) is the first com-
ponent of the vector
grad div h — Ah.
In general, denoting by A any vector, we may write
rot rot A = grad div A — AA, (5)
a theorem which enables us to perform in the terms of vector ana-
lysis the elimination of d from the fundamental equations. Indeed,
we may deduce from (4)
rot rot h = - rot d ,
1) The numbers of the formulae in this Appendix will be printed in italics.
232 NOTES.
• Pi
rot d = -oT rot d ,
1 /)
grad div h — A h = — -^ rot d,
i. e., if we use (3) and (5)
Similarly, the equation
AH 1 S't"
is obtained it we begin by considering the vector rot rot d.
2 (Page 16). The definitions given in § 2 lead to the general
formula
div rot A = 0.
Hence the equation (19) requires that
divc = div(d + 9V) =0, (5)
i. e. that the total current, which is composed of the displacement
current d and the convection current qW , be solenoidally distributed.
In order to show that it is so whenever the condition mentioned in
the text is fulfilled, we shall fix our attention on an element of the
charged matter, situated at the time t at the point (x, y, s), and
therefore, at the time t + dt, at the point {x -\- \^dt, «/ + V, dt,
z + \^dt). By a well known theorem of the theory of infinitely
small deformations, the volume of the element, if initially equal to dS,
will have become
+ (£+l?+S)'»l''« w
at the end of the interval dt.
On the other hand, the time having changed by dt and the
coordinates by \^dt, V^^dt, V.dt, the density of the charge, which at
first was Q, has become
P + (-|7 + V.|^ + ^--+V-|^)^^.
\ dt "^ Sx ' V cy ' - dz I
The product of this expression by {4) must be equal to the
original charge QdS of the element, so that we have
^\dx ^ dy^ ds) ^ dt ^"^dx ^^ydy +^-^~"'
or
]| + div(pv) = 0, (5)
3, 4 NOTES. 233
from which, taking into account (17), we are at once led to the
equation (5).
3 (Page 17). The method of elimination is exactly like that
which we used in Note 1. We may infer from (20) and (19)
rot rot d = rot h ,
rot rot h = - rot d H rot (pv),
or, using (5),
1 rl
grad divd — Ad= -g- (rot h),
grad div h - Ah = 1 1^ (rot d) + -^ rot (pv),
and we get the formulae (24) and (25), if we substitute the values
of div d, rot h, div h and rot d taken from (17), (19), (18) and (20).
4: (Page 18). The following considerations, showing, not only
that the function (30) satisfies the differential equation (29) (which
might be verified by direct differentiation), but also under what con-
ditions it may be said to be the only solution, are taken from a
paper by Kirchhoff on the theory of rays of light. ^)
They are based on Green's theorem and on the proposition
that, if r is the distance from a fixed point, and F an arbitrary
function, the expression
lias the property expressed by
This follows at once from the formula
^ 8r^ r 8r r dr^ '
which is true for any function of r, not explicitly containing the
coordinates, and in virtue of which (6) assumes the form
It is well known that
rx = F[t+^) and rx = i^(^-y)
are solutions of this equation.
1) Ann. d. Phys. u. Chem. 18 (1883), p. 663.
234 NOTES. 4
Let 6 be the bounding surface of a space S throughout which
■^ is subjected to the equation (29), P the point of S for which we
want to determine the function, dS an element of volume situated
at the distance r from F, S a. small spherical surface having P as
centre, n and N the normals to s and 2, both drawn towards the
outside.
Introducing the auxiliary expression
« = |-^(«+t).
where i*" is a function to be specified further on, we shall consider
the integral
extended to the space between 6 and 21.
In the first place we have by Green's theorem
and in the second place, on account of (29) and (6'),
Hence, combining the two results,
+^i/(*lf-4?)''«-
This equation must hold for all values of t. After being mul-
tiplied by dt, it may therefore be integrated between arbitrary
limits t^ and t^, giving
t, 'h
(?)
From this equation we may draw the solution of our problem
by means of a proper choice of the function F, which has thus far
been left indeterminate.
4 NOTES. 235
We shall suppose that F{s) differs from zero only for values
of s lying between and a certain positive quantity d, this latter
being so smaU that we may neglect the change which any of the
other quantities occurring in the problem undergoes during an interval
of time equal to s. As to the function F itself, we shall suppose
its values between £ = and £ = ^ to be so great that
<)
fF{s)ds = l.
Since, for a fixed value of r,
ti + -
fF(f+{)dt=fF{8)de,
it is clear that on the above assumptions
and
f-F(t+^)dt=.^^_^y
(8)
if we understand by x one of the functions of t with which we are
concerned, and by t^ and ^j values of t, such tbat
^i + f<0 and t,+~>S.
It wiU presently be seen that, in the discussion of the equation (7),
the formula (S) enables us to select as it were the values of ^ and to
corresponding to definite moments.
Let t^ have a fixed positive value and t.^ a negative one, so
great that even for the points of 6 most distant from P, t^ -\ < 0.
Then all values of i occurring in the last term of (7) are zero. So
are also the values of -^ in that term. Indeed,
at '
dt r
F
•('+y)
and this vanishes for t = t^ and t = t^ because F'(a), Uke I (e) itself
vanishes for all values of £ outside the interval (0, d). The last
term on the right-hand side of (7) is thus seen to be zero.
236 NOTES.
The term containing cj may be written
-fUsf.F{t+^)dt,
where
I o}FU+ ^)dt
t,
relates to a particular element of volume dS, at the distance r
from P. Hence, on account of (cS)
— j dt j %adS = — / ~^/ r\dS.
By similar reasoning it is found that
integ
differential coefficient being equal to
we have
We have next to consider the integral containino; -t^- • This
being equal to
f,(|)4 + 7)+r.|-:^'('+T).
'1 '1
+ ..
The first integral is
fl iv) '^M(t + f ) dt ^Jl (I) rp^___ ,^ da,
and the second expression may be integrated by parts:
./'VfK*^'('+^)''"=/^£'''/*^'('+-0"'
= fLtde\ri.FU + ^-f' ^^-d/f\%Fit + ^)dt
J r on !^ V c/|^ J r dn J dt V c/
because both F\t^ + -) and FU^ + —J vanish.
4 NOTES. 237
Combining these results we find for the right-hand member
of (7)
-/
CO/ ,.\(IS
We shall now suppose the radius R of the sphere 2] to diminish
indefinitely. By this the first integral in our last expression is made
to extend to within the immediate neighbourhood of the point P.
The remaining terms remain unchanged, but for the quantity on the
left-hand side of (7) we must take its limiting value for lim B = 0.
As the integral over the sphere has the same form as that over
the surface which we have just considered, we may write
or, since the normal N has the direction of r, and since, at the
sphere, r = jR,
f
1 /cip\ . 1
1
■a \a^/(.=--^) + 5^'''(,=-f) + cii'^(,=-f) ^'^^•
Now, when R tends towards 0, the integrals with -^ vanish, so
that the expression reduces to
Let ip^ and j^j be the extreme values of ^/ _ jt\ on the surface
of the sphere. Then (5) is included between
in^fi and 4;rt^2-.
But both Tp^ and ii^ have for their limit the value of ^ at the
point P for the instant t = 0, say i^p^i^^^y so that the limit of (9)
is seen to be
and equation (7) ultimately becomes
238 NOTES. 5
This determines the Talue of ip at the chosen point P for the
instant ^ = 0. We are, however, free in the choice of this instant,
and therefore the formula may serve to calculate the value of Vp
for any instant t; for this we have only to replace the values of ro,
rp, -rA- and ip on the right-hand side by those relating to the time
t Distinguishing these by square brackets, and omitting the
index P, we find
t-
-lj¥''« + l^/|}[a-a4(f) W + il^Ml <*•• M
The formula (30) given in the text is obtained by making the
surface 6 recede on all sides to infinite distance, by which in many
cases the surface integral is made to vanish. We may suppose, for
example, that in distant regions of space, the function tp has been
zero until some definite instant L. The time t to which the
" c
quantities [ip'\, Uj— L [i^] relate, always falls below t^ when r in-
creases, so that, finally, all the quantities in square brackets become 0.
5 (Page 19). When a vector A, whose components we shall
suppose to be continuous fimctions of the coordinates (cf. § 7) is
solenoidally distributed, so that
div A = 0, {11)
we can always find a second vector B such that
A = rot B.
It suffices for this purpose to put
B^ 1 /-rotA^^
47t^ r
Indeed, we find from this, if we use equation (2) of Note 1 and
the above equation (11), that
^■°t B = i r^'^ ds=- -i- f^ds,
and this is equal to A in virtue of Poisson's theorem.
» NOTES. 239
In this demonstration we have used the theorem that, if (n is
continuous, a potential function of the form
/"
dS
may be differentiated with respect to one of the coordinates by simply
differentiating m under the sign of integration with respect to the
corresponding coordinate of the element dS.
Now, equation (18) shows that the magnetic force h is solenoi-
dally distributed. Therefore we can always find a vector a such that
h = rot a. (12)
After having done so, we may write for the equation (20)
rot(d + |a) = 0,
showing that the vector
d + - a
c
must be the gradient of some scalar function — tp, so that
d = -^ a-grad<)r). (13)
It must be observed, however, that the vector a and the scalar
function qp are left indeterminate to a certain extent by what precedes
(though in each special case h and d have determinate values).
Understanding by ap and cpg special values, we may represent other
values that may as well be chosen by
a = ao - grad X, cp = q,^ -\- --;{;,
where x is some scalar function. We shall determine it by sub-
jecting a and (p to the condition
diva = -^9, (14)
which can always be fulfilled because it leads to the equation
A;);--^i(; = divao + -9'o;
which can be satisfied by a proper choice of x-
The differential equations (31) and (32) follow immediately
from (17) and (19), if in these one substitutes the values (13) and (12).
Indeed, (17) assumes the form
--diva-A(p^Q,
i. e., in virtue of (14)
^T — -^9 = — Q,
240 NOTES. 6, 7
and (19) becomes
rot rot a = s- a grad m -] p V,
or (cf. Note 1)
grad diva — Aa = 5- a grad^; + — pv,
for which, on account of (14), we may write
1 .. 1
Aa va = pv.
6 (Page 20). Our solution is not a general one because we
have made the assumption that the surface integral in (10), Note 4
vanishes when the surface 6 recedes to infinite distance. It is to be
observed, however, that any other solution may be put in the form
where ip' is some function satisfying the equation
In the terms of the physical problem with which we are con-
cerned, we may say that the electromagnetic field determined by
(33) — (36), (which may be considered as produced by the electrons),
is not the only one that can exist; we can always add a field satis-
fying at aD. points of space the equations (2) — (5) for the free ether.
Additional terms of this kind are excluded by the assumption made
in the text.
Of course, a state of things for which the formulae (2) — (5)
hold, can exist in a limited part of space; the beam of plane polarized
light represented by the equations (7) is a proper example. Such a
beam must however be considered as having its origin in the vibra-
tions of distant electrons, and it is clear that, if we wish to include
the source of light, we must have recourse to equations similar to
(33)-(36).
7 (Page 21). Let the centre of the electron move along the
axis of X. Then it is clear that a^^ = 0, a^ = 0, and that (p and a^
may be regarded as functions of t, x and the distance r from the
origin of coordinates. Indeed, (p and a^ must be constant along a
circle having OX for its axis.
Putting
(p=fi{t,r,x), a^ = f^{t,r,x),
s
NOTES.
one finds
-. = -^.
dx c dt
dfr X df,
dx r dr
"> — 1? =
r dr> ^
dtp z d
dz ~ r d
241
Hence, d may be considered as the resultant of two vectors, one
having the direction of OX and the magnitude 4A — '^^' , and
° c dt dx'
the other the direction of r and the magnitude — -J^ ■
The components of the magnetic force are
h - ^^^ -
" dy
d&y
dz -
= 0,
"y dz
dx
z df,
r dr '
^ ex
_ 3 a,,- ^
dy
y df,
r dr
so that h is at right angles both to OX and to the line r.
What is said in the text about the electric and the magnetic
lines of force foUows immediately from these results.
8 (Page 22). In establishing the equation of energy we shall
start from the formula (23). For an element of time dt the work
of the force exerted by the ether on an element dS oi the chai-ge
is represented by the scalar product of the force fgdS and the path
\dt. Hence, the integral
A=^fQ{f-\)dS
represents the total work done by the ether per unit of time, but
this work depends entirely on the first part of the vector (23), since
the second part — [V • h] is perpendicular to the velocity V. Consequently
A =/()(f • 'j)dS =/?(d • yi)dS =/(d ■Q\)dS,
and, if the value of ^V is taken from the equation (19),
A = cl{d-rot\\)dS -f(A-A)dS. {15)
Written in full, and with the terms rearranged, the first integi-al is
./(Kll'-".§)+(''.§-''.t)+Kt--.t)l"«'W
and here each term may be integrated by parts. Thus, denoting by
Lorentz, Theory of electrons.
16
242
NOTES.
a, /3, y the angles between the normal n to the surface and the
positive axes,
where [d • h]^ means the first component of the vector product [d ■ h].
If the remaining parts of (16) are treated in a similar way,
the first integral in (lo) becomes
y(d-roth)d<S =
= —J { [d • h]^ cos « + [d • h]j, cos /3 + [d • h^ cos y ] de
+/(h ■ rot d) dS = - /[d • \i]j6 +f{\\ ■ rot d) dS.
(17)
The formula (37) is now easily obtained if it is taken into
account:
1° that, in virtue of (20), the last term of (17) may be re-
placed by
-^J(b.b)dS;
2° that
(dd)
2 dt ' *-' ^ 2 dt
We may notice in passing that the equation (17) expresses a
general theorem. Denoting by A and B any two vectors, and by a
the bounding surface of a space S, we always have
j^A • rot B)dS = -J [A • R]j0 +f(B ■ rot l\)dS.
9 (Page 26). The deduction of the formulae for F is much like
that of the equation of energy. Instead of (43) we may write
=/{?d+|[?v-h])cZS,
and here, in virtue of (17) and (19), me may replace q by divd,
and pV by c rot h — d. Hence
= Adivd-
d + [rot h ■ h] - i [d • h] I dS
S+t+©-.+(^--S)''.-(g-t)''.H*
10 NOTES. 243
But
[d.h] = |^[d-h]-[d.h] = A[d.h]-c[rotd.d],
so that, if we determine the part F^ of the resultant force by the
formula
the remaining part is given by
Fi =f[ div d • d + [rot h • h] + [rot d • d] ) ^5- .
Leaving aside for a moment the term depending on the magnetic
force, we have for the first component of Fj
/!(
=/(
=J |y(^/- V-^/) <=os« + d,d^ cos/3 + d,d, cosy) d0
=^J ~\2dJ^-A^co8cc]d6.
The part of Fj that depends on h leads to a result of the same
form, the reason being that Fj becomes symmetrical in d and h when
we add the term div h-h, which is zero on account of (18).
10 (Page 29). The stress on a surface element of any direction
and situated anywhere in the space considered can be calculated by
means of the formulae (48); if one takes the mean values for a long
lapse of time, it will be found to be at right angles to the element.
In other terms, there is a normal pressure whose magnitude is given by
i> = i { (d/) + (d/) - (tJ.^) } + i { (h/) + (h/) - (h/) } , (18)
if we lay the axis of x normally to the element, and denote by (d^^),
etc. the mean values in question.
We shall now apply to two particular cases the result found in
§ 19. In the first place, we may take for 6 a closed surface wholly
lying within the envelop. Then (cf § 20, b), since F = and, in the
mean, Fg = 0, the pressures p acting on the surface must destroy
each other. This requires that p be constant all through the ether.
Next, considering a flat cylindrical box that contains an element
of the wall (cf. Fig. 1, p. 28 !, we can show that the pressure p reaUy
may be said to be the force exerted on the walls.
16*
244 NOTES. 11, 12
The pressure }'> having the same intensity at all jaoints, we may
as well replace it by the mean of the values which, for determinate
directions of OX, OY, OZ, the expression {18) has at different pla-
ces. Hence, if mean values of this kind are denoted by a horizontal bar
p = ^{(57) + (O - (57)} + i{(V) + (1^) - ^K')]-
But it is easily seen that the order of the two operations of
taking the mean — one relating to time and the other to space —
may be inverted, and that in the stationary state which we are con-
sidering the mean values indicated by d^^ etc. are independent of the
time, so that, after having calculated them, it is no longer necessary
to take their time-averages. Our formula therefore takes the form
J, = i(d7 + d7- ^}) + -i-(n7 + h/"- h/) .
11 (Page 30). The formula (51) is obtained if, in the trans-
formations given in Note 9, we omit all terms containing q. We
may, however, also proceed as follows.
The resultant force in the direction of x, so far as it is due to
the electric field, is given by the surface integral
^/'
[2d,d„-d^cos«}c?<?,
for which we may write (see the end of Note 9) the first component of
j'{divd-d + [rotd-d])c/6',
and to which we must add a similar expression depending on the
magnetic field. Hence, since div h = 0, and, on the assumption now
made, div d = 0,
Fi =J'{[roth-h] -f [rot d • d] } £^5',
or, if we use equations (4) and (5),
F, = |^/{[d.hl-[h.d]}</,S'=lJ{[d.h] + [d-hl}cZ-S'
12 (Page 32). Let u, v, w be the components of the velocity
of the ether at the point {x, y, z) and the time t. Then, by a well
known theorem, the acceleration in the direction of x is given by
3m I 3m , da , du
ot dx ' dy ds '
13, 14 NOTES. 245
so that, if fi is the density, and X the force acting on the element
dS in the direction of x, we have
When u, v, w are very small, we may neglect the terms tt-„— etc.,
and add the term u^^, which is likewise of the second order of
c t
magnitude, because in the case of slow motions, the change of the
density per unit of time is very small. It follows that
the mathematical expression for the statement made in the text.
13 (Page 35). The value 95 of the scalar potential that exists
at the time t at the point (x, y, 0) of the ether, will be found at
the time t + dt at a point whose coordinates are x + wdt, y, z. As
the value of the potential for these new values of the independent
variables may be represented by
we have
, Sep J, d(p J,
dt ' ox
dw dw
-1^ = — w^
ct ox
Applying the same reasoning to the function -^ , one finds
dt^ ~ dx \dt) ox'
14 (Page 36). Let S' be a system without translation, and let
two points, the one in the moving system S, with the coordinates
x, y, z, and the other in S' with the coordinates x\ y, z — the re-
lation between x and x being as shown in (58) — be said to cor-
respond to each other. Then corresponding elements of volume,
dS and dS', are to each other in the same ratio as x and x , so that
d8'^(\-f)-^i^dS,
and if they are to have equal charges, the density p' in dS must be
related to the density q in dS as follows:
p'=(i-^T^p-
246 NOTES. 14
Pois son's equation, whicli determines the scalar potential qp' in
the stationary system may therefore be written in the form
showing, on comparison with (59), that at corresponding points
q,' = (l- f)'l\, g) = (l-pyy^q)'. (19)
The quaatities relating to the moving system S may now be
expressed in terms of those that belong to S'.
In the first place we have, on account of (58 j and {19),
|?^=(i_/32-i|jp; |^_n_^.)-i/2|?: |^=(i_^^)-i/2^.
Further, by (33) and (34), since
K-H, a^ = 0, a. = 0,
^ ox ^ ox'
^ c ^ dx ^ ^ ox'
"y dy' ' dz'
"^ "' "v cz Pdz' "- ay Pdy
The electric energy is therefore given by
^=:/|ci-«'6l)'+(lfr+(M)V«
= i/( (1 - /i7» (II)' + (1 - W-" [(i|)" + fsl)"] 1 iS,
and the magnetic energy by
Finally, we have for the components of the flow of energy
s.=.(d,h.-dA)=o^(i-^rM(iir+(i?ri'
s. = c{Ax, - ^K) = - c/? (1 - n ''■' g % ,
m
{21)
15 NOTES, 247
and for those of the electromagnetic momentum
G,= i«l-rt-"'/|(g)'+(|f)Vs', m
15 (Page 37). A charge uniformly distributed over the surface
of a sphere may be considered as the limitLag case of a charge distri-
buted with uniform volume density over an infinitely thin spherical
shell having the same thickness at all points. When the moving
system S is of this kind, the stationary system S' of which we have
spoken in the preceding Note, is an elongated ellipsoid of revolution
whose semi-axis a and equatorial radius h are equal to
a = (l-/32)-i/2E, l^B, {23)
and which carries a charge uniformly distributed through an infinitely
thin shell bounded by the ellipsoid itself and another that is similar
to it and similarly placed with respect to the centre. The total
charge must be taken equal to e, the charge of the sphere, because
corresponding elements of volume in S and S' have been supposed to
carry equal charges.
Let the centre of the ellipsoid be chosen as origin of coordina-
tes, OX! being placed along the axis of revolution, and let x, y,
be the coordinates of an external point P. If we understand by X
the positive root of the equation
- -^l!±^ = l, (24)
where
p2 = a2 _ 2,2^
the potential at P is equal to
w = - — log V- ' — •
It is to be noticed that, for a given value of I, the equation
(24) represents an ellipsoid of revolution confocal with the given one;
therefore, the equipotential surfaces are ellipsoids of this kind. The
charged surface itself is characterized by the value X = ¥, and I in-
creases from this value to '>o as we pass outwards. The potential
is equal to
<Pn = i, — log — ■ —
^0 8 7tp °a—p
248
NOTES.
15
at the charged surface, and has the same Talue at all internal points.
The integrals to which we have been led in the preceding Note need
therefore only be extended to the outside space.
In effecting the necessary calculations we shall avail ourselves of
the theorem that the integral
l,/'((feT+(lf)"+©)V*'
is equal to the electric energy -lecp^' of the charged ellipsoid. Hence,
putting
^. =/©■«■. ^.=/i(itr+(ii)>^-.
we have
J^ + J^='--log^- + P.- (25)
In order to find the integral J^, we shall divide the plane X'OF
into infinitely small parts by the series of ellipses
= 1,
and the system of hypei'bolae
^ y__ = 1
[26)
{27)
where jn ranges from to p^. Confining ourselves to the part of the
plane where x and y are positive, we have for the coordinates of
the point of intersection of {26) and (27)
^' = ^V{p' + ^)i.p'-^),
y
rV^f^,
(28)
and for the area of the element bounded by the ellipses A, I -\- dX
and the hyperbolae fi, ft + f^f-
d6 =
8x'
dx
dl '
dii
dy
dl'
dy
dldfi =
1 X-\-ti,
d X d[i .
We shall now take for dS' in our integral the annular element
that is generated by the revolution of this plane element around OX',
so that
dS' = 2%yde -■
■nil + n)
Since cp' depends on X only, we have
dXd^i.
Of)
dx
dcp dl
dl dx' '
15 NOTES. 249
and here the last factor has, in all parts of the ring, the value de-
duced from {26) for a constant y,
n_ ^ 'ix\p^-\-i)x'
dx l^x'^+{p^-{-l)\f'
or, in virtue of (28),
ii'=wiwpy^p'+'')^p'-^)-
It follows from these results that, in order to find J^, we must
integrate the expression
p\X + iC}
V{p'+X){p'-i^)(-g)dXdi,.
If we take and p^ as the limits of ,ii, V and oo as those of X,
we shall find the part of J^ that is due to the field on the positive
side of the j/^^-plane; we must, therefore, multiply the result by 2.
Since
P
flgEf ,1^ = _ 2p + y^+l logl^lA-ti' ,
u
and
\dl) ~ 6i^n^{p' + X)'
the final result is
T == —
1 16jrp
J \ ^Vp' + x-p Vp'' + ^>
The indefinite integral is
Vp' + ^-p
and since this vanishes for A = ^, and is equal to
bnos'^^-2a27
° a — p
for I = V, the integral J^ has the value
In our present problem the values of a and h are given by {23),
so that
250 NOTES. 16, 17
7 = «
"^2 l63tJB|3'
(1 _^2)i/2[_ 2^ + (1 + /30 logrzr|] ■
Substituting these values in the formulae (20), {21) and (22),
we get the equations (61), (62) and (63).
16 (Page 38). The electromagnetic momentum G and the velo-
city W having the same direction, we may write
G = aw,
where a is the ratio between their magnitudes | G , and [ W j . It is a
function of | W | .
Differentiating with respect to t, we find
'' dJ ~ ^ "^ Ji ~ U ~dt ~ J]w! ^dT
But
so that
= -«(j +J )-|w|dl^J =-dTw! ^"'^IJJ ""''J
(^|G| ., IGj .„ ,., „.„
17 (Page 48). Take the simple case of an infinitely long cir-
cular metallic cylinder of radius a^, surrounded by a coaxial tube
whose inner radius is a^. When a current i is passed along the core
and returned through the tube, the magnetic energy, so far as it is
contained in the space between the two conductors, is equal to
" log^
per unit of length; this expi-ession is of the order of magnitude
4jtc^
{29)
a,
when - is some moderate number,
o,
On the other hand, if, per unit of length, the two conductors
contain iV^ and N^ electrons, moving with the velocities v^ and v^,
the sum of the amounts of energy that would correspond to the mo-
tion of each of them is
18 NOTES. 251
if we suppose the mass of the corpuscles to be wholly electromagnetic.
The current being
we may write for our last expression
12
-^EAi;+i-)- (•^^)
The experiments on self-induction have never shown an effect
that may not be accounted for by the ordinary formulae for this
phenomenon. Therefore, in ordinary cases, the value of {30) must be
much smaller than that of (39), from which it may be inferred that
iVji? and N^R are great numbers.
18 (Page 49). In the following proof of the formula (76) we
shall confine ourselves to an electron having a rectilinear translation
parallel to OX. with variable velocity v. Let (J be a definite point
of this electron and P a point of the ether, within the space occu-
pied by the particle at the time t for which we wish to calculate
the force. Let x', y', z be the coordinates of P, and x, y, z those of
the point Q at the time t.
Among the successive positions of Q there is one Q^ such that
an action proceeding from it the moment it is reached, and travelling
onward with the speed of light c, will arrive at the point P at the
time t. If we denote hjt — r the time at which this „effective" posi-
tion, so we may call it, is reached, we have for the coordinates of Q^
x^ = X — vx -\- -^-i»r^ — Yvx^ -\- ■ ■ ■ {31)
Ve = 2/> ^e= ^,
and, since Q^P must be equal to cr ,
{x, -xj + {y- yj -K {z, - zj = cH\ {32)
By means of these relations x^ and x may be expressed in terms
of X, y, z. Putting QP = r, so that
r- = {x - x'Y + (2/ - y'f + (^ - ^'Y,
and considering v, c, V, ... as so small that terms of the second order
with respect to these quantities may be neglected, we may substi-
tute in {3t) T = — , by which we find
252 NOTES. 18
Substituting this value in {32), we get
r = J: _ ^(^_^') + ^(^_^')^ _ JL(i,_a;')r2----
c c^ ^ •' 2c' ^ ' fac ^
It follows from (33) that the points Q which, at the time t,
are situated in an element dxdyds, have their effective positions in
an element dx^ dy ds, where
V X — X ^^ V , ,^ 'V
dx^^\l-^"^^+:.{x-x')-,-Ax-x')r+--\dx.
Hence, to each element dS of the electron taken in the position
which it has at the time t, there corresponds an element of space
dS^=[l-^^^-^''~ + ^.{x-x')-^]^,{x-x)r^--}dS,
in which, at the time t — r, there was a density q equal to that
existing at the time t in the element dS, this charge having a velocity
V — it -\- \'vx'^ — •■■ ,
or, with a sufficient degree of approximation
The distance of the element dS^ from the point P is given by
f ^ V X — X , b , ,, v , '\ i 1
d ^
SO that the quotient — in the equation (35) must be replaced by
-^ =[1 + j^,{x -X) - —,{x-x)r + -..j-.
The factor here enclosed in square brackets may be omitted in
the formula for the first component of the vector potential; here,
however, we must replace v by the expression (34). In this way
we find
1 r / i ,«, \ds
1 — /PU' >' + ir-i»"" — ,
^ncj ^ \ c ' 2c^ / r '
the integrations being extended to the space occupied by the electron
at the time t.
We shall now proceed to calculate the electric force f at the
point P. It may be observed in the first place that we need not con-
IS NOTES. 253
sicler the term — [v • h] in (23), because the magnetic force h itself
is proportional to v. Hence, by (33), the first component of f, to
which we may limit ourselves, is equal to
f = - ^'P
dx c "
As the differentiations may be effected under the sign of inte-
gration, we have
and, since / QdS = e,
t - i-J^"^'' - sij^ It + ^-^1 ^^+^- (^^)
In order to find the resultant force we must multiply this by
q'cIS', where dS' is an element of volume at the point P, and ^' the
density at this point; we have next to integrate with respect to dS'
From the first term in (55) we find 0, and from the last term
6 5rc'
agreeing with the expression (76); these results are independent of
the shape of the electron and the distribution of its charge. As to
the middle term in (55), it leads to the force
.',./<■'"•/<- (v + ^.^>«
In the case of a spherical electron the charge of which is distri-
buted symmetrically around the centre, we may write ^r^ instead of
{x — x'Y, so that we get
Now, if the charge lies on the surface, the integral / ydS has the
value p- at aU the points where the density q' is different from zero.
Therefore (36) becomes
254 NOTES. 19
^jQ'd8' =
in accordance with the result expressed in (72).
What has been said in § 37 about the representation of the re-
sultant force by a series, each term of which is of the order of
magnitude — in comparison with the preceding one, is also confirmed
by the above calculations.
19 (Page 50). Let us fix our attention on the effective posi-
tion M (cf Note 18) of a determinate point of the electron, for in-
stance of its centre. If this position is reached at the time t^, pre-
vious to the time t for which we wish to calculate the potentials at
the distant point P, and if the distance M P is denoted by r, we have
r = c(t-t,). (37)
Choosing M as origin of coordinates, we shall understand by
Xjp, 2/p, Sp the coordinates of P.
Let us further seek the effective position (x^, y^, z^ of a point
of the electron whose coordinates at the time t^ are x, y, z. This
effective position M' will be reached at a time ^^, a little different
from ^g; if we put
the interval r will be very small. The coordinates x, y, z are so
likewise, and a sufficient approximation is obtained if, in our next
formulae, we neglect all terms that are of the second order with
respect to these four quantities.
The condition that M' be the effective position of the point con-
sidered is expressed by
M'P = c{t-Q = c{t-t^~x). {38)
But, if V is the velocity of the electron at the time #(,, we may
write for the coordinates of ilf
Xe-x + v^T, y, = y + y,jX, z^ = z-\- v^t, {39)
so that {38) becomes
{Xp-X~ S^xf + {y^-y- s^rf + (^^ _ ^ _ v,t)^ = cX< - <o - ^f,
or, on account of {37), and because
r
20 NOTES. 255
is the component V^ of V along the line MP,
2(XpX + ypy + ZpZ) + 2v,.rT = 2crt,
giving
The points of the electron which, at the time t^, lie in an ele-
ment dS, have their effective positions in an element of space dS^,
whose magnitude is equal to the product of dS by the functional
determinant of the quantities {39) with respect to x, y, z. The value
of this determinant is
or, in virtue of (40),
1 + V ^- + V ^^- + \~
As to the distance r in the denominators of (35) and (36), we
may take for it the length of MF, and in the latter of the two for-
mulae we may understand by V the velocity of the electron at the
instant t^^. In this way the general equations take the form
fp = -, — f odS^, a = -7 I odS^,
which is equivalent to (79) because (p being equal to the density
existing at the time t^ in the element dS)
fodS^ -^ fo dS = — ~ •
20 (Page 51). As the field depends on the differential coefficients
of the potentials, we have first to determine these. In doing so, we
shall denote by x, y, z the coordinates of the distant point P for
which we want to know d and h.
If we change by dt the time t for which we seek 90 and a,
keeping x, y, z constant, it will no longer be the same position of
the electron which is to be called the effective one. Besides, the new
effective position will be reached at a time slightly differing from t^
and will lie at a distance from P different from r, the changes being
connected with each other by the formula
dr = — S^dtf^,
where v^ has the meaning explained in § 38.
Differentiating equation (.57), we find
— \^dt^ = c{dt-dQ,
dL = dt.
* c— Vr
256 NOTES. 20
It appears from this that, by the change now considered, the
value of some quantity i' corresponding to the time t^, is altered by
so that we may write
cl[ii>] _ c r8i>i
the square brackets always having the meaning formerly assigned
to them.
In applying this to the expressions (79), we shall suppose the
distance r = MP to be so much greater than the dimensions of the
electron that, in the final formulae for d and h, we may neglect all
terms of the order ^ . Doing so we may treat as constants the
three cosines in the equation
V^ = v^. cos (r, x) + Vj, cos {r, y) + v^ cos {r, z);
indeed, their differential coefficients are of the order — , and in (p there
is already a factor — . Consequently,
Tt = J- ^°^ ^^' *) + Jy *^°^ ^^' y^ + J^ ^^^ *^^' ^^ ^ ^'■'
and since the factor — in qo may be considered as constant
d<f ^ e_ d [V;.] ^ ^ |- j 1
*' ° '"['(' -yn ""^*«H'-7')']
If, finally, we neglect all terms that are of the second order
with respect to the velocity and the acceleration of the electron, we
have the further simplification
Similarly one finds from the second of the formulae (7U)
dt iTtcr
[]]■
We have next to calculate the differential coefficients with respect
to the coordinates. Consider first an infinitely small ' displacement of
P in a direction /i at right angles to MF. The distance MF not
being altered by this, and t being kept constant, neither the instant t^
nor the efPective position M are changed. As we may again leave
21 NOTES. 257
out of account the change in the direction of r, we conclude that
^ = 0, |? = 0.
oh ' dh
The differential coefficients with respect to the direction of r
are easily found by the following device. If P is displaced over a
distance dr along MF prolonged, t being increased at the same time
dr
by dt = — , the effective position of the electron and the time t^ re-
main unaltered, so that, since the denominator r need not be diffe-
rentiated,
8qp 1 , Sqp dr „ dtp I d<f 2* _ 1 3a
dr ^ ^'di'c ~ ' Jr c 3< - Jr c di'
Combining this with the former result, we find for any di-
rection Tx, in the case both of the scalar and of the vector potential,
and particularly
d /■ \ S d / \ S d /■ \ S
^— = cosir, aj)^— , 5— = cos (r, v) 3- , ^- = cos (r, «) 5— •
8x ^' ■' dr ' dy ^ ' "■' dr' dz ^' 'dr
Using these relations one will find without difficulty the for-
mulae (80) and (81).
21 (Page 51). In the formulae (80) each component of d is
represented as the difference of two terms. The terms with the
negative sign may be considered as the components of the vector
« -i
inc^r '
and the terms with the positive sign as those of the vector
where we have used the parentheses in order to indicate that the
component j,. is here itself regarded as a vector. Understanding (j^)
in a similar sense, so that
J = (\r) + Op),
we have
h = — V[j-k] = -[dl<]-
The magnetic force is therefore perpendicular both to d and
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 1'
258 NOTES. 22
to k, and its direction is such that the flow of energy c [d • h] has
the direction of k, away from the electron. The intensity of the
flow is c|d| |h| = cd^-
22 (Page 53). As an interesting application of the formula
found for the resistance, we shall calculate the damping of the
vibrations of an electron. Suppose the particle to he subjected to
an elastic force — /q , where q is the displacement from the position
of equilibrium, and f a positive constant. The motion in the direc-
tion of OX is determined by the equation
a particular solution of which is found by taking for q^ the real
part of
pttt
where s is the basis of natural logarithms, and « a complex constant
determined by the condition
ma' = -f+ -'^-,aK (41)
If the last term has but a small influence, we may replace in
it cc by the value given by the equation
Hence, putting
we have
ma^ = — f.
m '
a = m —
and, introducing two constants a and ^j.
q^ = «e i2«mc» COS (nt+p).
This formula shows that in a time equal to
12 7cmc^
the amplitude falls to — of its original value.
Taking for m the value (72), and writing T for the time of
in
vibration — , 2 for the wave-length, we find
"^ ~ 2%^Ii'^-
23 NOTES. 259
If we substitute for B the value given in § 35 we have for
yellow Ught (;i = 0,00006 cm)
r = 2 • 10' T,
showing that the damping would be very feeble, and that we have
been right in supposing the last term in (41) to be very small.
This question of the damping of the vibrations is important be-
cause, the slower the damping, the more wiU the radiation present
the character of truly homogeneous light. We can form an opinion
of the degree of homogeneousness by making experiments on the
visibility of interference fringes for various values of the difference
of phase; in fact, when this difference is continually increased, the
fringes can remain clearly visible for a long time only if the light is
fairly homogeneous. A small degree of damping is thus found to be
conducive to a good visibility of the fringes, a conclusion that is
readily understood if one considers that the interference becomes in-
distinct when the intensities of the two rays are very different. This
must be the case whenever the vibrations in the source have con-
siderably diminished in amplitude between the instants at which the
interfering rays have been emitted.
The result of the above calculation is in satisfactory agreement
with the experiments of Lummer and Gehrcke in which, under fa-
vourable conditions, interferences up to a phase difference of two
millions of periods were observed.
23 (Page 56). In each successive differentiation with respect to
one of the coordinates, of the expression found for —^\'we have to
differentiate both the goniometric function and the factor preceding it.
These operations introduce factors of the order of magnitude — = -^^
(if A denotes the wave-length) and — Consequently, in as much
as r is very much greater than A, we may confine ourselves to the
differentiation of the goniometric function.
Thus, for example,
a =_^^[PJ = _-!L^-sin|«(^-~M4-i.|,
d =_^_i|^^=-^i-(_-;+i)cos{^(<-^)+i.|-
It is easily verified by means of the expressions (95) that d
and h are at right angles both to each other and to the line r, and
17*
260 NOTES. 24
that they have equal amplitudes. The formulae represent a system
of plane polarized waves, whose amplitude changes in the inverse
ratio of the distance r as we pass along a straight line drawn from
the radiating particle. The flow of energy changes as -^j ■
24 (Page 58). Considering any one of the dependent variables,
say \\), first as a function of x, y, z, t, and then as a function of
x, y', s , t', we have the following relations, arising from (96) com-
bined with
t'=t-^^{\N^x + \N,^y + \N^z),
as we may write instead of (97) if the square of — is neglected,
ci/) Si/) dx . dtp 8y' _, dip dz dip dt' dip w^, dip
dx dx' dx dy dx dz dx dt' dx dx' c^ St' '
dip dip v/,j dip dip dip Wj dip
dy dy' c^ dt' ' dz dz' c^ dt' '
dt dt' ^ dx V dy ' dz' '
By this the equation (17) becomes
c ' dy dz c^ L ^ ct v dt ' dt J ^
dx' ' dy
In the terms multiplied by W^, W , W^ we need not distinguish
between the differential coefficients with respect to t\ x' , y , z , and
those with respect to t, x, y, z. Hence, in virtue of (19), we write
for the terms enclosed in square brackets
'""A^'-dPi + ^*v(g7- g^') + '"^A-di'-jy) - (^•^)?-
In the last term V may be replaced by U, because we are con-
stantly neglecting the square of W, and we are led at once to equa-
tion (100) if we keep in mind that
tl. + |(w,h_.-w,h,; = d;, etc.
Let us next transform the first of the three equations taken
together in (19), namely
dy dz e \^^^^ dt)
It assumes the form
25 NOTES. 261
or, if pW^ is replaced by '
/ad an, adA
^^Kdx'^ dy'^ dz'j'
and if the terms are arranged in a different order,
|^(h.-4(w.d,-w^dj)-^(h^-l(wA-w,dJj
This is the first of the equations contained in (102).
26 (Page 59). We shall begin by observing that the potentials
(p and a' satisfy the differential equations
A<p'-^-^^ = -9, {42)
g2 ^2 gS
(cf. Note 4), where A is now an abbreviation for ^-^j + ^-ij + o— f^ ,
and that they are mutually connected in the following manner:
di-^'=-||7' + ^V(w-a'). {M)
In order to prove this latter formula we shall start from equa-
tion (5) of Note 2, which, in terms of the new variables, may be
written
|^_w,^,-w,f^.-w,|% + div(9V)--V(w.« = 0,
or, if the square of W is again neglected,
|f + d,v(,u)-J,(w.^) = 0. (.5)
If, in an integral of the form (104) or (105), the factor by
which --_- is multiplied is a continuous function of the local time t'
and the coordinates x', y, z of the element dS, the partial derivatives
of the integral with respect to t' or to the coordinates of the point
262 NOTES. 25
for whicli it is calculated, are found by simply difPerentiating the
said factor with, respect to t', or x, y, s , the differential coefficient
being again taken for the value H ■ of the local time.
According to this rule
dt'
intcj r L 8t _i '
from which we infer that
(»--)=.:o/i[(»-^)]^«-
In virtue of (45) these values verify the equation (44) and it is
further found by direct substitution that the fundamental equations
(100)— (103) are satisfied by (106) and (107) (see, however, Note 6).
We have, for example,
divd'= — — diva'— A^'+ — A(wa').
But by (44)
diva=--g-?^ + -^(w.a),
so that the foregoing equation assumes the form
divd'= j, ^^ - Acp'-^iw-a') + iA(w.a').
The two terms containing a' are equal to
i(w.(Aa'-ia'|).
and in virtue of (42) and (43), the right-hand side of the equation
becomes identical with that of (100).
No difficulty will be found in the verification of (101) and (103).
As to equation (102), we find from (107) (cf Note 1)
rot h' = rot rot a' = grad div a' — A a',
and, if we use (44), (43) and (106),
rot h' = - ~- grad q>' + V grad (w . a') + -% U - ^ a ' = ^ (d' + p u).
26 NOTES. 263
26 (Page 59). The problem may be reduced to that of deter-
mining the field due to a single moviug electron (cf. §§ 38, 41, 42
and Note 19). Let P be the distant point for -which we want to
calculate the potentials qp' and a' at the local time t', and M a de-
finite point of the electron, say its centre, in its effective position,
so that, if tf,' is the time (local time of M) at which it is reached,
and *• the length of MP,
r==c{t'-t,'). {46)
Choosing M as origin we shall call x'^,, y'p, z'^ the coordinates
of P, x, y, z those of some point Q of the electron at the time t^
(local time of Jf ), x^, <//, z^ the coordinates of the effective position
Q^ of this point, and f^' + t (local time of M) the time at which it
is reached, so that, according to (97), the local time of Q^ itself is
then represented by
K = C + 1 - ^ (w,..; + w^2/; + w,<).
The condition that Q^ be the effective position of the point con-
sidered is expressed by . an equation similar to (46), namely
$,P = c(r-0,
or, taking the square on both sides,
{xp - x',f + {y'p - y;f + {zp - z',f
= c\t'-t^-xf + 2(^'-V-*)(wX + w,2/; + w,,?;).
The interval t being very short, we may write
<=a;'+u^r, y',=y'\\iyt, z;=z'+U^r,
by which, if terms of the second order with respect to x, y', z', r
are neglected, and if (46) is used, our condition becomes
— (x'pX + y'py' + z'pz) — ru^t
= - ret + - (w^x + W^y' + w,/) + -- (W • u)t,
(scTpx' + y'py' + z'p/) + y (w^.r' + w^y' + w./)
r(c — U^) (w- U)
(47)
Here u^ means the component of u in the direction of MP, the
product rU,. having replaced the expression x'pU^ + y'p\i,j + z'pU,.
Having got thus far we can again distinguish between an ele-
ment dS of the electron in its position at the instant t^' (local time
264 NOTES. 26
of M) and tlie element dS^ which contains the effective positions of
the different points of dS, the ratio between the magnitudes of these
elements being given by the functional determinant of xj, yj, z'
with respect to x', y, /, i. e. by
w , dt , dt , dr
' ^ 3a; ' y dy 'dz
We shall retain only the terms of the first order with respect
to U^, Uj,, u,. Doing so, we may neglect in g^'ig— m g/ ^^^ terms
containing these velocities, so that (47) gives for the determinant
c
Finally we have the following equations, similar to those which
we found in Note 19,
(48)
■p'^^l^ + 'V+Mc-
■w)]),
iTCcr
Now, if we put
^'_l(w.a') = (9'),
we find
^^ -' i7tr[ ' c )'
and, in virtue of (106),
(49)
d'=-|a'-grad(g,'). (50)
c
Comparing the formulae (49), (48), (50) and (107) with (79),
(33) and (34), keeping in mind that, when V is very small, the
factor 1 — '" may be omitted in the second of the equations (79),
and replaced by 1 H — - in the numerator of the first, we see that
there is perfect equality of form. Hence, if we speak of correspond-
ing states when the dependency of d', h' on x', y , z, t' in a moving
system is the same as that of d, h on x, y, s, t m a, stationary one,
we may draw the following conclusion. The field produced at distant
points of a moving system by an electron whose coordinates x, y, s
are certain functions of i (the local time belonging to the instantaneous
position of the electron) corresponds to the field produced in a system
27 NOTES. 265
without translation by an equal electron whose coordinates x, y, z
are the same functions of t.
Of course, this theorem may be extended to any number of
electrons, so that we may also apply it to a polarized particle. We
shall suppose this latter to be so small that the differences between
the local times of its various parts may be neglected. Then it makes
no difference, whether we say that the coordinates x , y', z' of an
electron moving in the particle are certain functions of the local
time f belonging to the ipstantaneous position of the electron itself,
or that they are the same functions of the local time belonging to
some fixed point, say the centre, of the particle, and we have the
proposition: The field produced in a moving system by an electric
moment whose components are certain functions of t' (the local time
of th6 centre of the particle) corresponds to the field existing in a
system without translation in which there is an electric moment
whose components are the same functions of t. But, in the latter
case, the field is determined by (88) and (89). Therefore, we shall
have for the moving system
^^ ' iTt \ ox r oy r os r ]'
[P]
iTccr
>
and we shall find d' and h' by using the formulae (50) and (107).
It follows from this that the expressions for the field belonging
to the electric moment represented by (108) may be found as stated
in the text.
27 (Page 60). In a stationary system the condition at the sur-
face of a perfectly conducting body is, that the electric force be at
right angles to it. This follows from the continuity of the tangential
components of the force, combined with the rule that in a perfect
conductor the electric force must be zero, because otherwise there
would be a current of infinite strength.
Now, in a moving system, an electron that is at rest relatively
to it is acted on by a force which, according to (23), is given by
d + |[w.h].
As this is equal to the vector d' defined by (98), d' plays
exactly the same part as d in a system without translation, and by
going somewhat further into the phenomena in ponderable bodies,
one can show that, in a moving system, d' must be normal to the
surface of a perfect conductor. Moreover, for the fi-ee ether, the
266 NOTES. 28, 29
equations which determine d' and h', when referred to moving axes
and local time, are identical in form with those which we have for
d and h, when we use axes having a fixed position in the ether.
This appears at once from the equations (100) — (103).
28 (Page 62). Since l\, = d^, and h.(^) = — dyj^,, we have
and for the energy per unit of volume
^e + ^m=i{ (d, + ^ir))' + (K + Kir))' )
= W;+K') +m^r) + Kir))-
29 (Page 67). Problems relating to the motion of the innumerable
electrons in a piece of metal are best treated by the statistical method
which Maxwell introduced into the kinetic theory of gases, and
which may be presented in a simple geometrical form so long as we
are concerned only with the motion of translation of the particles.
Indeed, it is clear that, if we construct a diagram in which the
velocity of each electron is represented in direction and magnitude
by a vector OP drawn from a fixed point 0, the distribution of the
ends P of these vectors, the velocity points as we shall say, will
give us an image of the state of motion of the electrons.
If the positions of the velocity points are referred to axes of
coordinates parallel to those that have been chosen in the metal
itself, the coordinates of a velocity point are equal to the components
I, 7], g of the velocity of the corresponding electron.
Let dA be an element of volume in the diagram, situated at the
point (I, 7], g), so small that we may neglect the changes of |, rj, g
from one of its points to another, and yet so large that it contains
a great number of velocity points. Then, this number may be
reckoned to be proportional to dX. Representing it by
filv,QdX (51)
per unit volume of the metal, we may say that, from a statistical
point of view, the function f determines the motion of the swarm
of electrons.
It is clear that the integral
ff(^,n,QdX,
extended over the whole space of the diagram, gives the total num-
ber of electrons per unit of volume. In like manner the integral
j\fX^,ri,i)dl (52)
29 NOTES. 267
represents the stream of electrons through a plane perpendicular to
OX, i. e. the excess of the number passing through the plane to-
wards the positive side over the number of those which go in the
opposite direction, both numbers being referred to unit of area and
unit of time. This is seen by first considering a group of electrons
having their velocity points in an element dX; these may be re-
garded as moving with equal velocities, and those of them which
pass through an element da of the said direction between the mo-
ments t and t + dt, have been situated at the beginning of this
interval in a certain cylinder having da for its base, and the height
\^\dt. The number of these particles is found if one multiplies the
volume of the cylinder by the number (5i).
Hence, if / means an integration over the part of the diagram
1
on the positive side of the tj^- plane, and / an integration over the
part on the opposite side, the number of the electrons which go to
one side is
d6dtfif{^,7],0dX,
1
and that of the particles going the other way
d6dtf-^f{i,r],i)dX.
2
The expression (52) is the difference between these values divided
by dadt.
If all the electrons have equal charges e, the excess of the
charge that is carried towards the positive side over that which is
transported in the opposite direction is given by
J=efifdl, (53)
and it is easily seen that, denoting by m the mass of an electron
and by r^ = l^ + y]^ + ?^ the square of its velocity, we shall have
\r=^mj\r^fdl (54)
for the difference between the amounts of energy that are carried
through the plane in the two directions. The quantities (')3) and (54)
are therefore the expressions for the flow of electricity and for that
of heat, both in the direction of OX.
The function f is deteimined by an equation that is to be re-
garded as the fundamental formula of the theory, and which we now
proceed to establish, on the assumption that the electrons are subjected
268 NOTES. 29
to a force in the direction of OX, giving them an acceleration X
equal for all the corpuscles in one of the groups considered.
Let us fix our attention on the electrons lying, at the time t,
in an element of volume dS of the metal, and having their velocity
points in the element dX of the diagram. If there were no encounters,
neither with other electrons nor with metallic atoms, these electrons
would be found, at the time t -f dt, in an element dS' equal to dS
and lying at the point {x -\- Idt, y-\-rjdt, + t<it). At the same
time their velocity points would have been displaced to an element
dX' equal to dX and situated at the point (| + Xdt, fj, ^) of the
diagram, so that we should have
f(i + Xdt, rj, t, x + ^dt, y+rjdt, s + t,dt, t + dt)dS'dl'
= /■(!, ri, g, X, y, s, t)dSdl.
The impacts which take place during the interval of time con-
sidered require us to modify this equation. The number of electrons
constituting, at the time t-{-dt, the group specified by dS' and dl',
is no longer equal to the number of those which, at the time t, be-
longed to the group {dS, dl), the latter number having to be dimi-
nished by the number of impacts which the group of electrons under
consideration undergoes during the time dt, and increased by the
number of the impacts by which an electron, originally not belonging
to the group, is made to enter it. Writing adSdXdt and idSdXdt
for these two numbers, we have, after division by dSdX^dS'dX',
f{i + Xdt, ri, I, x + ^dt, y + ndt, + tdt, t + dt)
= f(.h V, t, X, y, 2, t) + {b-a)dt,
or, since the function on the left-hand side may be replaced by
m, V, i, X, y, ^, t) + (^x + IL^ + ^, + %t + ^)dt,
This is the general equation of which we have spoken
We have now to calculate the values ot a and i. We shall
simplify this problem by neglecting the mutual encounters of the
electrons, considering only their impacts against the metallic atoms.
We shall further treat both the atoms and the electrons as perfectly
elastic rigid spheres, and we shall ascribe to the atoms masses so
great that they may be regarded as unmovable.
Among all the encounters we shall provisionally consider only
those in which the line joining the centra of the atom and the
electron has, at the instant of impact, a direction lying within a de-
29 NOTES. 269
finite cone of infinitely small solid angle dm. If B, is the sum of
the radii of an atom and an electron, and ii the number of atoms
per unit of volume, the number of electrons of the group (51) which
undergo an impact of the kind just specified during the time dt, is
equal to
«i?Y(|, rj, ^)r cos »dl dm dt. {56)
Here ^ is the sharp angle between the line of centra and the direc-
tion of the velocity r.
The velocity of the electron at the end of a collision is found
by a simple rule. After having decomposed the original velocity into
a component along the line of centra and another at right angles to
it, we have only to reverse the direction of the first component.
Hence, the new velocity point P', whose coordinates I shall call |',
rf, i,', and the original one (!,»?, t) lie symmetrically on both sides
of the plane IF passing through at right angles to the axis of
the cone dco, and when the point P takes different positions in the
element dX, the new point P' will continually lie in an element dk'
that is the image of dl with respect to the plane W, and is there-
fore equal to dl.
This last remark enables us to calculate the number 6, so far
as it is due to collisions taking place under the specified conditions.
By these, a velocity point is made to jump from dX' to dX, and the
number of these „uiverse" encounters is found by a proper change
of the expression (5(!). While we replace |, t], g by |', rj', g', we
must leave the factor r cos d-d I unaltered, for we have dl' = dX,
r' = r (if r is the velocity whose components are |', t]', &,'), and the
line joining the centra makes equal angles with r and /.
We get therefore
nP?f{i,', r(, ^)r cos&dldadt.
Subtracting (ofi) from this and integrating the result over all
directions of the axis of the cone da which are inclined at sharp
angles to the direction of r, we shall obtain the value of (h — a)dldt.
When the force which produces the acceleration X has a con-
stant intensity, depending only on the coordinate x, there can exist
a stationary state, in which the function f contains neither y nor z.
For cases of this kind, which occur for instance when the ends of a
cylindrical bar are kept at different temperatures, or when it is sub-
jected to a longitudinal electric force, the fundamental equation (55)
becomes
nB?rf\a^, V, - m, V, i) } COS * rf« = x|{ + |-g • (57)
In performing the integration we must leave |, tj, £ unchanged.
270
NOTES. 29
so that r is a constant, but we must not forget that the values of
I', -ri, g' depend on the direction of the line joining the centra.
Denoting by f, g, h the angles between this line (taken in such a
direction that the angle with r is sharp) and the axes, we have
|'= i, — 2r cosa' cos/; v'—V - ^r cos«' cosg, g'= g— 2r cos'S' cosh.
So long as the state of things is the same at all points of the
metal, the electrons will move equally in all directions. It is natural
to assume for this case Maxwell's well known law expressed by
/■(I, ri, t) = As-''-% (58)
where A and h are constants.
Using the formulae
— 00
71
we find from (58) for the number of electrons per unit of volume
+ 00 +00 +00
-00 —00 —CO
and for the sum of the values of |^, for which we may write JVg^
if we use a horizontal bar to denote mean values
+ 00 +00 +00
iV|2 = ^JJJa-"(l^ + f + '?)|2^| dri dl = AJ,J,' = T^l/f^
-00 — 00 — 00
It follows from these results that
Z5 J_
l' = t = i' = iT:,:
and that the mean value of the kinetic energy of an electron is
equal to
3m
But we have already made the assumption that the mean kinetic
energy is equal to aT. Therefore
29 NOTES. 271
an equation which, conjointly with (5!>), tells us in what manner the
constants h and A are determined by the temperature and the number
iV" of corpuscles per unit of Tolume.
It is clear that the formula (58) can no longer hold when there
is an external force or when the ends of a metallic bar are unequally
heated. Yet, whatever be the new state of motion, we shall always
have a definite number N of electrons per unit of volume, and a
definite value of the mean square of their velocities, and, after having
3
assigned to h and A such values that , is equal to this mean square
and J.l/y3 to the number N, we may always write
m,ri,^) = Aa-'"- + cp(i,,l,t), (01)
where qo is a function that remains to be determined. For this we
have the fundamental equation (y/'J and in addition to it the con-
ditions
fq>dX = 0, f(pr''dl = Q, (62)
which must be fulfilled because the term A£~'"''' has been so chosen
that it leads to the values of N and r^ really existing.
The function cp is the mathematical expression for the change
which an external force or a difference of temperature produces in
the state of motion of the system of electrons. Now, this change
may be shown to be extremely small in all real cases, so that the
value of (p is always small in comparison with that of A£~'"^.
Hence, on the right-hand side of equation (57) we may replace f
by Ae~'"^. On the left-hand side, on the contrary, we must use the
complete function (61), because here we should find zero, if we
omitted the part cp(^, rj, ^).
The equation therefore becomes
nB'rf{<p(i', 7]', t) - -jPd, V, 0} cos & dm
= (-2hAX + ^-r^A'^)U-'-\ (63)
Let us try the solution
<p(^,v,t) = h(r), m
where ;t is a function of r alone. This assumption is in accordance
with the conditions (62), so that we have only to consider the prin-
cipal equation (63). Substituting in it the value (64) we first find
f{cp(^', r(, r) - ^(%, V, t)\ 008 & dm = x(r)f(^-l) cos 9 dm
= _ 2rx(r) f COST'S' cos f da.
272 NOTES. 29
Let us imagine two lines OP and OQ, drawn from the origin
of coordinates, the first in the direction of the velocity (|, ij, ^), and
the second in that of the line of centra at the moment of impact,
the angle POQ = & being sharp. Denoting by /a the angle POX
and by ip that between the planes POX and POQ, we have
cos f = cos ju, cos -9- + sin ft sin %■ cos i),
1" in
I cos^d-cosfda = I I cos^&(cosii(iosd--\-smiism&cosil>)siiid-d&df
1
= 2n cos [I I COST'S' siR&d& = y^ cos ft = -— ^~7
by which (63) assumes the form
- ^nBnrxir) = (- 2hAX + ^- r'A^)^s-"'^,
showing (because | disappears on division) that our assumption reaUy
leads to a solution of the problem.
If we put
^J 7
the result is
x(r)^l{2hAX-^ + r^A^)^s-\ {65)
Finally we find from (53) and (54) for the currents of electricity
and of heat
J=efi'x(r)dl,
W=^mJ\r^l{r)d}..
In these formulae |^ may be replaced by \r^ and dk by Anr'^dr]
the integration is thereby reduced to one with respect to r from
to oo. Next substituting the value (^5), and choosing s = r" as a
new variable, we are led to the integrals
00 00 00
fss-'"ds, Jsh~'"ds and fsh-'"ds.
The values of these are
J 2 6
29 NOTES. 273
so that the two currents are giTen by
The coefficient of electric conductivity is easily found from
the first of these equations. Let the cylindrical bar be kept at uni-
form temperature throughout its length. Then -j— = 0, -5— = 0, and
when there is an electric force E producing an acceleration
eE
X
VI
the electric current will be
3hm
We conclude from this that
^~ Shm '
or, if we use the relations (59) and (60), introducing at the same
time a Telocity u whose square is equal to the mean square r\ so
that m == — 5- ,
2" eHNu
Sx ccT
In order to find the conductivity for heat we shaU consider a
bar between whose ends a difference of temperature is maintained,
these ends being electrically insulated, so that no electricity can enter
or leave the metal. Under these circumstances the unequal heating
wiR produce a difference of potential which increases until the electric
force caRed forth by it makes J vanish. The final state will be
characterized by
giving
„^ 2 , 4 dh StcIAcc dT
where we have also used the relation (60). From this we infer the
coefficient of thermal conductivity
, SnlAa 8 t/ 2 ,„
It remains to add that the quantity I may be considered as a
certain mean length of free path.
Lorcntz, Theory of electrons.
18
274 NOTES. 30
30 (Page 77). As a preliminary to the deduction of Wien's
law, we shall extend to the case of an oblique incidence the reasoning
given in § 46. A beam of light propagated in a direction lying in
the plane XOZ and making an angle ■& with OX may be represented
by expressions of the form
/, a; cos ■9- + « sin •9- , \
a COS nu ■ h pj ,
and when it faUs upon a fixed mirror whose surface coincides with
the plane YOZ, we shall have functions containing the factor
/, , a;cosa)' — asin* , \
cosnU-\ h 2^j
for the quantities relating to the reflected light.
Now, the theorem of corresponding states (§ 45, Note 26) teUs
us that when the mirror has a translation with velocity w in the
direction of OX, there can be a state of things represented by equa-
tions in which the above goniometric functions are replaced by
x' COS'9' -f- « sin'*
and
/,, X cos'9' 4- a sm* , \ /^^n
coswU — ■ hP) {o6)
I ., , a;' cos ■9' — a sin ■9' , \ ^„„-,
COS n(t -i -^ hi'j, (67)
where
X = X — wt and t = t vX .
The frequencies of the beams are given by the coefficients of t
in these expressions {6€) and (67)
wll H cos'9') and w(l cos^l,
so that, if the frequency of the incident rays is
n\\. -(- - cos'9') = n,
that of the rays reflected by the moving mirror is given by
nil coS'S'j.
It follows from this that a wave-length I is changed to
a(i+^"coS'&).
We shaU also have to speak of the pressure acting on a per-
fectly reflecting mirror receiving under the angle ■^ a bundle of
30 NOTES. 275
parallel rays. As it will suffice to know the pressure exerted on
the mirror when at rest, we may apply the formula found in § 25.
Since aU. the light is reflected, we have s"=0, and |s'| = |s|, the
magnitude of these last vectors being equal to the product by c of
the energy i existing in the incident beam per unit of volume.
Moreover, if A is the area of the mirror, we have Z:= If = A cos d:
As the vectors s and s' are in the direction of the rays, it is easily
seen that the vector s — s' is directed towards the mirror alons the
normal. The resultant force is therefore a normal pressure whose
magnitude is 2Aicos^d', or 2*cos^'9' per unit of area.
Turning now to the proof of Wien's law, we shall consider a
cylindrical vessel closed by a movable piston and void of ponderable
matter. We shall conceive the internal space to be traversed in aU
directions by rays of light or heat, it being our object to examine
the changes in iatensity and wave-length that are brought about by
the motion of the piston. We suppose the latter to be perfectly
reflecting on the inside, whereas the walls and the bottom of the
cylinder are „perfectly white"^ by which we mean that they reflect
the rays equally in aU directions and without any change in wave-
length or any loss of intensity. By making these assumptions, and
by supposing the motion of the piston to be extremely slow, we
secure for aU instants the isotropy of the state of radiation.
Let us fix our attention on the rays existing at a certain time t
with wave-lengths between the limits 2. and J. + dX, and let us de-
note by ip (^X) dX the energy per unit of volume belonging to these
rays, or, as we shall say, to the group (A, X -\- dX). If A is the
surface of the piston and h its height above the bottom of the
cylinder, the total energy belonging to the group in question is
J=Ahil){X)dX, (68)
and we may find a differential equation proper for the determination
of ^ as a function of X and t, by examining the quantities of energy
that are lost and gained by the group (A, X -\- dX).
In the first place a loss is caused by the reflexion of part of
the rays against the moving piston, for every ray which faUs upon
it, has its wave-length changed, so that, after the reflexion, it no
longer belongs to the group (X, X + dX). In order to calculate the
loss we may observe that the rays of which we are speaking are
travelling equally in aU directions; hence, if we confine ourselves to
those whose direction lies within an infinitely narrow cone of solid
angle da, we have for the energy per unit of volume
— j/>(A)^co dX,
18*
276 NOTES. SO
and for those rays whose direction makes an angle between 9- and
& -{- d& with the normal to the piston (drawn towards the outside)
the corresponding value is
^^(;i) 8in& dd'dX.
During the interval dt the piston is struck by these rays in so
far as, at the time t, they were within a distance c cos 9- dt from the
piston, i. e. in a part of the cylinder whose volume is c A cos 9- dt,
so that the energy falling upon the piston is
'l-cA(p(l) sins' coa9d9dXdt.
Integrating from 9 = to 9=1-71, one finds for the energy
that is lost by the group (A, A + dl)
\cA^{l)dkdt. (69)
On the other hand a certain amount of energy is restored to
the group because rays originally having another wave-length, get
one between 2 and 1 -f dX by their reflexion against the moving
piston.
Let us begin by especially considering the rays whose direction
before reflexion is comprised within a cone dm whose axis makes
an angle ■9-(< -^n) with the normal to the piston. If k' is their
wave-length before reflexion, it will be changed to
X = (l + ^^ cos 9^ k',
where w is to be reckoned positive when the motion of the piston
is outward. Hence, if the new wave-length is to lie between k and
X + dX, the original one must be between X' and X' -f dX', where
r=(l-^|'coss)l,
dX' = (l — - cos 9] dX.
The energy of these rays per unit of volume is
i = —tl!{X')d(odX'
and one sees by a reasoning similar to that used above that the
amount of energy belonging to the group of rays defined by da, X',
dX', which falls upon the piston during the time dt, is equal to
cAi cos 9 dt.
Part of this energy is spent in doing work on the piston, and
it is only the remaining part that is gained by the group (X, X-{-dX).
30 NOTES. 277
The pressure exerted on the piston by the rays of which we
are now speaking being
and its work during the time dt
2wAi aos^^dt,
the amount of energy restored to the group {X, l + dX) is given by
cAi^08^dt—2ioAicQ'&^%dt. (70)
As we constantly neglect the square of w, we shall replace I
in the second term by
^ij{X)d(odk
and in the first term by
J- (1 — - coS'&j t{X') da dl
,^(r) = i^(/i)- — cos^./i-^'''
smce
By this we get for the expression {70)
^\QOB»--,ij{k)-^-^coB^&[2i>{l) + ).^y\dmdXdt.
Extending the integral of this with respect to d(o over aU direc-
tions of the rays for which 9- <i\-n, we find the energy that is
restored to the group {I, X -f- dX) and must be subtracted from {69).
Since
I cos d'dco = :t, I cos^&dc3 == ^^,
the result of the integration is
and we have for the change of the energy existing in the cylinder,
so far as it belongs to wave-lengths between X and X -\- dX,
dJ
= - \ wA\2tl>{X) + l^^^\dX.
But, since -tt = w, we see from (68) that
^ = wAxlj{X)dX + Ah^dX,
278 NOTES. 30
so that
, , J dil> 2 , 1 .dip
or, if we put
w ,
1«
-/<5^ + A-^,t). (71)
This differential equation enables us to calculate the change
which the motion of the piston produces in the distribution of the
energy over the different wave-lengths. In order to put it in a form
more clearly showing its meaning, we shall first deduce from it the
rate of change of the total energy per unit of volume
K
= fi} dl.
For this purpose we have only to multiply (7t) by dl, and to
integrate each term from A = to A = oo. Since
CO
dip -. _dK
and
we find
00 OO 00
jl^dl= lA^I^^J- jtljdX = - I ipdX = ~K,
In deducing this equation I have supposed that for A = oo the pro-
duct X^) tends towards the limit 0.
Now, when the velocity w is given for every instant, k is a
known function of the time and so will be K. We may therefore
introduce this latter quantity as independent variable instead of t.
Putting
and considering V as a function of this quantity and of
log A = 92,
we find from (71) after division by —hip,
31 NOTES. 279
This is simplified still further if, instead of | and t], we introduce
I' = I and ri =1 + Ari
as independent variables. The equation then becomes
gl^Ciog^.- -5-0 = 0,
showing that the expression
log?/;- i'-|'=log(i/'^^'),
and therefore
itself must be a function of >/ alone. But
,2'=| + 47; = 41og(A^ij,
so that fK't may also be represented as a function of XK^^. The
solution of our equation is thus seen to be
K-irp{k,K) = F(},Ki), (72)
where we have expressed that ^ is a function of A and K, and where
the function F remains indeterminate.
If, in the course of the motion of the piston, the value K' of K
is reached, we shall have, similarly to (73), for any wave-length
The right-hand side of the first equation becomes equal to that of
the second, if we replace A by
so that
Hence, if in the original state the distribution of energy is given
by the function <p(l), i. e. if, for aU values of 2,
we find for the corresponding function in the final state
31 (Page 80). Planck finds in C. G. S.- units
« = 2,02-10-i«,
(so that the mean kinetic energy of a molecule would be 2,02 • 10" ^^ T
ergs), for the mass of an atom of hydrogen
1,6 ■ 10~^* gramm
280 NOTES. 32, 33
and for tlie universal unit of electricity expressed in the units whicli
we have used
1,6- lO-socyi^
(see § 35).
32 (Page 81). In a first series of experiments Hagen and
Rubens deduced the absorption by a metal from its reflective power;
they found that for A = 12/i, S(i and even for X = 4fi the results
closely agreed with the values that can be calculated from the con-
ductivity. In later experiments made with rays of wavelength 25,5 j^
(„Reststrahlen" of fluorite), which led to the same result, the emis-
sivity of a metal was compared with that of a black body, and the
coefficient of absorption calculated hy our formula (122) (p. 69).
33 (Page 81). Let us choose the axis of x at right angles to
the plate, so that ic = at the front surface and a; =z/ at the back;
further, let a be the amplitude of the electric vibrations in the in-
cident beam, this beam being represented by
6^ = a cosn(t — ^ + pj ■
The electric force E in the interior of the thin plate may be
considered as having the same intensity at all points. It produces a
current of conduction
K - ^^.
and a dielectric displacement in the ether contained in the metal. The
variations of this displacement, however, do not give rise to any ther-
mal effect, and the heat produced will therefore correspond to the
work done by the force E while it produces the current i . Per
unit of time and unit of volume this work is equal to
so that the development of heat in a part of the plate corresponding
to unit of area of its surface is given by
Now, at the front surface, E^^ is equal to the corresponding
quantity in the ether outside the metal (on account of the continuity
of the tangential electric force), i. e. to d^, -f d^^^, where dj,(^j relates
to the reflected beam. Since, however, the amplitude of d, ,^. is propor-
tional to z/, and since we shall neglect terms containing zl^, we may
omit dy^^j. In this way we find for the development of heat
(ja"z/ coa^{nt-\-p),
34, 35 NOTES. 281
and for its mean value during a time comprising many periods
The coefficient of absorption A is found if we divide this by the
amount of energy -^-a^c which, per unit of time, falls upon the portion
of the plate considered.
34 (Page 85 j. This is confirmed by the final formula for a/
(p. 89), according to which this quantity is proportional to s^, and
therefore to -p-
35 (Page 87). The truth of this is easily seen if we consider
both the metallic atoms and the electrons as perfectly elastic spheres,
supposing the former to be immovable. Let a sphere whose radius I{
is equal to the sum of the radii of an atom and of an electron be
described around the centre of an atom, and let a line OP be
drawn in a direction opposite to that in which an electron strikes
against the atom. Then, the position of the point Q on the sphere
where the centre of the electron lies at the instant of impact may
be determined by the angle POQ ==^ & and the angle qp between the
plane POQ and a fixed plane passing through OP. The probability
that in a collision these angles lie between the limits -S' and & + dd',
(p and (p + d(p, is found to be
~ sin ■9- cos %-d%'d(p, (73)
where %■ ranges from to \%, and cp from to 2n.
Let us also represent the direction in which the electron re-
bounds, by the point S where a radius parallel to it intersects the
spherical surface. The polar coordinates of this point are &' =^2%-
and ip' = <p, and if these angles vary between the limits &■' and
Q-' _j_ cl&\ qp' and q)' + d^', the point S takes aU positions on the
element
da = It' sin d^'d 9' d<p'
of the sphere. But we may write for the expression (7.3)
-— Bind-' d&' dm',
so that the probability of the point S lying on the element dd is
da
This being independent of the position of d6 on the sphere, we
conclude that, after an impact, all directions of the velocity of the
electron are equally probable.
282 NOTES, 36
36 (Page 88). Considering a single electron whicli, at the time t,
occupies the position F, we can fix our attention on the distance
PQ = l over which it travels before it strikes against an atom. If
an electron undergoes a great number iV of collisions in a certain
interval of time, we may say that the experiment of throwing it
among the atoms and finding the length of this free path I is made
with it N times. But, since the arrangement of the atoms is highly
irregular, we may just as weU make the experiment with N different
electrons moving in the same direction with a common velocity u.
Let us therefore consider such a group, and let us seek the number N'
of it, which, after having travelled over a distance I, have not yet
struck against an atom, a number that is evidently some function of I.
During an interval dt a certain part of this number N' wiU be dis-
turbed in their rectilinear course, and since this part wiU be pro-
portional both to N' and to dt, or, what amounts to the same thing,
to the distance dl = udt, we may write for it
^N'dl, (7i)
where /3 is a constant. Hence, while the distance dl is travelled
over, the number N' changes by
dN' = - ^N'dl,
so that we have
N' = iVf-/*',
because N' = N ior I = 0.
The expression (74), which now becomes
^N£-?'dl {75)
gives the number of electrons for which the length of path freely
travelled over lies between I and I -|- dl. The sum of their free
paths is
^NlE-fhll,
and we shall find the sum of all the free paths if we integrate from
1 = to 1= oo. Dividing by N, we get for the mean free path
00
L = &ll£-^'dl-=^-
The number (^75) of free paths whose lengths lie between I and
I -\- dl is therefore equal to
1
, Ne 'm dl,
I'm
87—39 NOTES. 283
or, since
-»T 'u&
equal to
u9
£
'm dl.
37 (Page 89). This case occurs when the atoms and the elec-
trons are rigid elastic spheres, the atoms being immovable, for it is
clear that an electron may then move with different velocities in
exactly the same zigzag line. Other assumptions would lead to a
value of Z^ depending on the velocity u, but then we should also
have to modify the formula given in § 50 for the electric conductivity.
The final formula for . would probably remain unaltered.
38 (Page 90). It may be noticed that the numbers given in
Note 31 can be said to be based on the formula (148), if in calcu-
lating them one uses only the part of the radiation curve correspond-
ing to long waves.
39 (Page 92). According to what has been said, the potential
and the kinetic energy may be represented by expressions of the
form
immediately showing that the amounts of energy belonging to each
of the n fundamental modes of vibration have simply to be added.
Since for small vibrations the coefficients a and i may be regarded
as constants, each mode of motion is determined by an equation of
Lagrange
dtXdpJ dp I,'
or
^kPk = - "-kPk,
the general solution of which is
p^= a cos iy '^j + ^y
where a and /? are constants.
In this state of motion there is a potential energy
'^a,p,^=\aycos^{]/lt + ^),
284 NOTES. 40
and a kinetic energy
^&,i)/=^-a,«^sin^(]/|;<+^),
both of which have the mean value
40 (Page 94). Taking three edges of the parallelepiped as axes
of coordinates, and denoting by f, g, h the direction cosines of the
electric vibrations of the beam travelling in the direction {fi^, fi^, ftg),
we may represent this beam by the formulae
d, = fa cos n(t- f'^^+J^y+J^ + p),
d^ = ga cos n (t - ^^^ + M+ ^ + p)^
d, = ha cos n (t - f^i^_f^i^ +^).
If we assume similar formulae with the same constants a and p for
the seven other beams, replacing fi^, fig, ftj by the values indicated
in (149), and f, g, h by
f,-9,- M -f,9,~ h- -f,-g, /j;
f,-9,— M -f,'J,- '*; ~f,-9,h;
f, 9, ^»
respectively, the total values of d^, d , d^ are given by
^ = — »/a cos -^^^~- sm - - - sm — --- cos n{t -\- p),
c c c
J, = — o^a sm --— cos -^-^ sm -^- cos n{t -\- p),
do, • nii.x ■ nii.y na,z ,, , ,
J = — 8Kasm--;-sm~^-^cos-^ -- cosw(^ + p)-
(76)
By these the condition that d be normal to the walls is fulfilled
at the planes XOY, YOZ, ZOX, for at the first plane, for example,
2 = 0, and consequently d^ = 0, d, =0.
The same condition must also be satisfied at the opposite faces
of the parallelepiped. This requires that, if g^, q^, q^ have the meaning
given in the text,
sin^'''^ = 0, sin^^ = 0, sin^^ = 0.
c ' c ' e
Therefore,
^_9i :'iif^fe ii'f^sla
c c c
41 NOTES. 285
must be multiples of jt, and since — = — >
must be whole numbers.
I ' X ' I
41 (Page 94). If one of these states, say a state A, is deter-
mined by the formulae {76) of the preceding Note, in which f, g, h
relate to any direction at right angles to the direction (n^, fi^, fig),
a state of things A' in which the polarization is perpendicular to
the former one is represented by equations of the same form (with
other constants a and jo'), in which f,g,h are replaced by the con-
stants f, g , h' determining a direction at right angles both to {f, g,
h) and to (/ii, /i^j fa)- It is easily seen that any other mode of
motion represented by formulae like (76) with values of f, g, h such
that
may be decomposed into two states of the kind of A and A'. The
total electric field will therefore consist of a large number of fields
A and A', each having a definite amplitude a and phase p. In
order to find the total electric energy we must calculate for each
mode of motion the integral
I,/'
and for each combiuation of two modes
J[6-A')dS (77)
Now, it may be shown that all the integrals of the latter kind
are zero. For a combination of two states such as we have just now
called A and A' ( which are characterized by equal values of fij , (tg ?
fig and of the frequency n), this is seen if one takes into account
that in the integrals
'h 'A 1-.
I cos^^^^^ dx, JBija^^^^dx, I cos^^-^ dy eic. (78)
the square of the cosine or the sine may be replaced by 4, so that
(77) becomes
8(/"r + 99 + hJi') aa'q^q^q^ cos n(t ■+ p) cos n (t + p),
which is because the directions (f, g, h) and (f\ g , li) are at right
angles to each other.
286 NOTES. 42
In any other case at least one of the coefficients — -i, — ^, —^
will be different for the states d and d'. Thus, -'^' may have the
value h for one state and the value Jc' for the other. The integrals
/ COS kx cmh'xdx = :j ^ . ^,, sin (Ic + h') q^ + ^(k — k') ^"^(^'^ ~ ^'^'^^i'
/ sinAia; sink'xdx = - g^^., y- sin(A; + lc')q^ + ^^j^_j.'^ sin (A; — /(;')9'i
both are zero, because Jcq^ and fe'^j are multiples of jr. Consequently,
each of the three integrals
fij'JS, etc.
iato which (77) may be decomposed vanishes.
It is readily seen that similar results hold for the magnetic
energy. It will suffice to observe that, in the state represented by
the formulae (76), the magnetic force has the components
iu.,!ic nii,y nii„z
— — cos - - cos — ^=^5- I
c c c
^.= 8f a sm -^— COS — - cos — ^=^=5- sin n(t -\- p),
,, = Sg a COS — - - sm -^-~- cos -^'~ sm w (f + 2V>
.= 011 acos— ~— cos-^^-^ sin -^^^— sinn(t + p),
C C C \ 1 i /;
where
/■'= jttg/i - [i^g, ()'= fi^f— fi^h, h' = [i^g - jxg/'
are the constants determining a direction perpendicular both to (ftj,
,it2, fij) and to (f,g,h).
If, further, one takes into account what has been said of the inte-
grals (78), it will be found that the parallelepiped contains an amount
4(r+ /+ h^) q^q^q^a^ cos^ n(t + p) = 4: q^q^q^a^ aos^ n (t + p)
of electric, and an amount
Aq^q^q^a^s\o?n(t-{-p)
of magnetic energy. Each of these expressions has the mean value
2q^q^q^a\
42 (Page 97). On further consideration I think that it will be
very difficult to arrive at a formula different from that of Jeans,
42 NOTES. 287
so long as we adhere to the general principles of the theory of
electrons as set forth in our first chapter. But, on the other hand,
it must be observed that Jeans's theory is certainly in contradiction
with known facts. Let us compare, for example, the emissivity E^
for yellow light of a polished silver plate at 15" C. with that (eJ)
of a black body at 1200" C, confining ourselves to the direction
normal to the plate. Silver reflects about 90 percent of the in-
cident light, so that the coefficient of absorption of the plate is ^,
and by Kirchhoff's law, E^ = f^E^, if E^ denotes the emissivity of
a black body at 15". But, by Jeans's theory (see § 74) the emissivity
of a black body for light of a given wave-length must be proportional
to the absolute temperature, so that we have E^ =--~E2 = -rE^,
and£,= f^E,.
Now, at the temperature of 1200", a black body would glow
very brilliantly, and if the silver plate at 15" had an emissivity only
fifty times smaller, it ought certainly to be visible in the dark.
It must be noticed that we have based our reasoning on Kirch-
hoff's law, the validity of which is not doubted by Jeans. In fact,
the point in the above argument was that, at temperatures at which
a black body has a perceptible emissivity for the kind of rays con-
sidered, it can never be that, for some other body, only one of the
coefficients E and A is very small. The silver plate might be ex-
pected to emit an appreciable amount of light, because its coefficient
of absorption shows that in reality the exchange of energy between
its particles and the ether is not extremely show.
From facts like that which I have mentioned it appears that,
if we except the case of very long waves, bodies emit considerably
less light, in proportion to their coefficient of absorption, than would
be required by Jeans's formulae. The only equation by which the
observed phenomena are satisfactorily accounted for is that of Planck,
and it seems necessary to imagine that, for short waves, the connec-
ting link between matter and ether is formed, not by free electrons,
but by a different kind of particles, like Planck's resonators, to
which, for some reason, the theorem of equipartition does not apply.
Probably these particles must be such that their vibrations and the
effects produced by them cannot be appropriately described by means
of the ordinary equations of the theory of electrons; some new as-
sumption, like Planck's hypothesis of finite elements of energy will
have to be made.
It must not be thought, however, that all difficulties can be
cleared in this way. Though in many, or in most cases, Planck's
resonators may play a prominent part, yet, the phenomena of con-
duction make it highly probable that the metals at least also contain
288 NOTES. 43—45
free electrons whose motion and radiation may be accurately described
by our formulae. It seems difficult to see why a formula like Planck's
should hold for the emission and absorption caused by these particles.
Therefore, this formula seems to require that the free electrons,
though certainly existing in the metal, be nearly inactive. Nor is this
all. If we are right in ascribing the emission and the absorption by a
metal to two different agencies, to that of free electrons in the case
of long waves (on the grounds set forth in § 60), and to that of
„resonators" in the case of shorter ones, we must infer that for inter-
mediate wave-lengths both kinds of particles have their part in the
phenomena. The question then arises in what way the equilibrium
is brought about under these complicated circumstances.
It must be added that, even in the case of long waves, there
are some difficulties. To these attention has been drawn by J. J.
Thomson.^)
I shall close this discussion by a remark on the final state that
is required by Jeans's theory. I dare say that it will be found
impossible to form an idea of a state of things in which the
energy would be uniformly distributed over an infinite number of
degrees of freedom. The final state can therefore scarcely be thought
of as really existing, but the distribution of energy might be con-
ceived continually to tend towards uniformity without reaching it in
a finite time.
43 (Page 102). In Zeeman's first experiments it was not found
possible neatly to separate the components; only a broadening of the
lines was observed, and the conclusions were drawn from the amount
of this broadening and the state of polarization observed at the
borders.
44 (Page 110). For great values of the coordinates, the coeffi-
cients c might be functions of them. They may, however, be treated
as constants if we confine ourselves to very small vibrations.
45 (Page 112). The result of the elimination of gj, gg, . . . g^
from the equations (176) is
= 0. {79)
1) J. J. Thomson, The corpuscular theory of matter, p. 85.
46 NOTES. 289
Developing the determinant we get in the first place the principal
term
77 = (/; - m,ir) (/, - >n,n'^) . . . (f^- m,y),
and in the second place terms containing as factors two of the
coefficients c. These coefficients being very small, we may neglect
all further terms which contain more than two factors of the kind.
One of the said terms is obtained if, in the principal term, the two factors
fk — »»i w^ and /; — m^n^ are replaced by — in c^., • inc,^ = — n^.^. Hence,
denoting by 77,,, the product which remains when we omit from 11
the factors f^— iHf.n^ and fi — niin^, we may write for (7.9)
n-n^:^cln,,= 0, (80)
1.1
an equation that can be satisfied by values of w' differing very little
from the roots n^^, n^^, . . . n^^ of the equation
JT=0,
which are determined by (172).
Thus there is a root
n" = V + d, (81)
where S is very small. Indeed, if this value is substituted in (80),
we may replace n^ by w^^ in all the products 77,.,, and the same may
be done in the factors of the first term U, with the exception only
of /"j — '>ny, for which we must write — m,^S. By this 77 becomes
-m,Sn,(n,'),
where the last term means the product 77 after omission of the said
factor, and substitution of n^ = n^ in the remaining ones.
lu the sum occurring in (86) only those terms become different
from zero, in which the factor f,. — m^ (corresponding to the par-
ticular value we have chosen for li) is missing. Our equation there-
fore assumes the form
- m,dn,(n,') - n,':2cl.,n,,(n,') = 0,
from which the value of d is immediately found.
This value may be positive or negative, but, as it is very small,
the right-hand side of (81) is positive in any case, and gives a real
value for the frequency
46 (Page 113). Equation (79) is somewhat simplified when
we divide the horizontal rows of the determinant by ]/wj, Yiti^jetc,
and then treat the vertical columns in the same manner. Putting
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 19
290 NOTES.
so that
and using (172), one finds
- ^'»e^a; - ^^Cf,2,
= e.
— tne.
tne.
%-'
= 0.
46
m
(83)
m
Let us now suppose that a certain number h, say the first Tt,
of the frequencies n^, n^, . . . hare a common value v, and let us seek
a value of v satisfying the condition (84), and nearly equal to v.
When n has a value of this kind, all the elements of the determinant
vpith the exception of nl ^ ^ — w^, . . . n ^^ — n^ are very small quantities.
Therefore, the part which contains these fi — k elements, namely the part
K-.1-"") ••■ (V-^')
greatly predominates. We shall therefore replace (84) by
Mj^— n^,
— ine^^,
. -ine,.
— ine^i,
Wa^ - n^,
- ine,.
-ine,^,
-ine,„
. V - n''
tne.
^me^.l
ine,.9
■me.
— «me„
0.
Finally, since the quantities e are very small, we shall replace n
by V wherever it is multiplied by an e, so that we find
-iveji, v^
-ive,.
IVCiv
— tve^
— ive„
v' — n^
= 0.
(85)
an equation of degree Ic in n^.
Now, on account of the relations (83), the latter determinant
is not altered when we change the signs of all the elements con-
46 NOTES, 291
taining an e (the effect being merely that the horizontal rows become
equal to the original vertical columns). Hence, after development,
the equation can only have terms with an even number of these ele-
ments, so that it is of the form
(v^- w2)*+ P,{v'- - n^y-'^+F,{v^- n^y-*+- • ■ =0, (86)
where P^ is made up of terms containing two factors of the form
ive, Pg of terms containing four such factors, and so on.
It follows from this that the coefficients P are real quantities.
But we may go further and prove that, if v^ — v? is considered as
the unknown quantity, all the roots of the equation (6'5) or (.s'6)
are real.
For this purpose we observe that, on account of (85), if we take
for 1'- — H^ one of its roots, the equations
(v^— n^^x^— ivej^^x^— ■ ■ ■ — lve^^x,.= 0,
— ivc.,.^ a;^ + {v^— n^)x^ _ . . . _ ive^^X/. = 0,
— i ve^i x^ — ivc,.^x^ —...-[- (v2_ n^^x,^ =
may be satisfied by certain values of x^, x^ . . . %, which in general
will be complex quantities. Let x^fX^, ■ ■ ■ x^ be the conjugate values.
Then, multiplying the equations by x^, x^, . . . x^ respectively and
adding, we find
[v^- n^) ^y^jXj- vJ:i{e^iXiXj+ e^jX^x,) = 0. (67)
Now, putting
we have
^i^'j = ^/ + ''A
and, in virtue of {83),
i.(ej,x,x^+ e,jXjx;) = 2ejt{^,r]^- ^jTj,).
The two sums in (87) are therefore real, and v^ — n^ must be so
likewise.
We have now to distinguish the cases of /c even and Jc odd.
In the first case (86) is an equation of degree i /,-, when (v^ — n^Y is
considered as the quantity to be determined, and, since v^' — n^ must
be real, its roots are all positive. Calling them a^, ^^, y% . . ., we
have the solution
n^— v^= ± a, + /3, +}',■■■
whence
n = v±^, v + 2-^' ^±{v'' ■ (**)
being l values of the frequency.
19*
292 NOTES. 47, 48
When li is odd, equation {86) has the factor v^ — n^, so that one
root is
n = V ,
corresponding to the original spectral line. After having divided the
equation by v^ — n^, we are led back to the former case, so that
now, besides n = v, there are li — 1 roots of the form {88).
In the particular case of three equivalent degrees of freedom,
equation {86) becomes
{v^ — ny+ (v^- ^2)0.2(6,3632+ egiCia + e,^e.^^) = 0,
giving n^ — v^ = and
n^-v^= + vyel^+el^+e\^,
from which (177) immediately follows, if we replace v by n^ and fgg,
^si) ^12 ^y tlieir values {82).
I am indebted to a remark made by Dr. A. Pannekoek for the
extension of the foregoing theory to cases of more than three equi-
valent degrees of freedom.
^b'-
47 (Page 113). That the distances between the magnetic com-
ponents of a spectral line wiU be proportional to the intensity of
the magnetic field (for a given direction of it) is also seen from
the general equation {86). It suffices to observe that each quantity
e is proportional to | H j. Therefore Pj is proportional to H^, F^ to
H*, and so on. The values of n^ — v^ which satisfy the equation
vary as j H ' itself, and as they are very small, the same is true of
n — V.
48 (Page 120). In the following theory of the vibrations of a
system of four electrons we shall denote by a the edge of the tetra-
hedron in the position of equilibrium, by I the distance from the
centre to one of the edges, by r the radius of the circumscribed
sphere, and by Q' the angle between the radius drawn towards one
of the angles and an edge ending at that angle. We have
cos -9-
-V\' ^ = i«l/2, r==\ayQ.
In the state of equilibrium one of the electrons A is acted on
by the repulsions of the three others, each equal to
and by the force due to the positive charge. The latter force is
48 NOTES. 293
the same as when a charge e = -^nr^Qf, were placed at the point 0.
Hence we have the condition of equilibrium
or
3e'
cos
# +
iitr
Qo
= —
3e
0,
The frequency of the first mode of motion is easily found by ob-
serving that, after a displacement of all the electrons to a distance
r -{■ 8 from the centre, where 8 is infinitely small, the resultant
force acting on any one of them would remain zero, if the attraction
exerted by the positive sphere were still equivalent to that of a
charge e at 0. As it is, there is a residual force due to the at-
traction of the positive charge included between the spheres whose
radii are r and r -\- 8. The amount of this charge being 4:%r'^Q8,
and the force exerted by it on one of the electrons eQ8, we have
the equation of motion
in-iu^=eQ8,
giving for the frequency
n^= -■
m
Let us next consider the motion that has been described in the
text as a twisting around the axis OX. The formula for this case is
found in the simplest way by fixing our attention on the potential
energy of the system. When the edges AB and CD are turned
around OX through equal angles (p in opposite directions, two of
the lines AC, AB, BC, BB are changed to
V4:l' + a^sin^O ;r _ g,) = a(l _ ig, _ i g,^),
and the two others to
The potential energy due to the mutual action of the corpuscles
is therefore
The potential energy with respect to the positive sphere having
not been altered (because each electron has remained at the distance
r from the centre), and the kinetic energy being equal to
the equation of motion becomes
294 NOTES. 48
-1- ma^a? + - — w^ = const.,
gmng for the frequency
36' e„e
In examining the vibrations for which the equations (181) and
(182) are given in the text, we may treat the system as one with
only two degrees of freedom, the configuration of which is whoUy
determined by the coordinates ]) and g.
This time we shall apply the general theory of a vibrating
system, starting from the formulae for the potential energy JJ and
the kinetic energy T expressed as functions of p,g,p,9- If we
ascribe a potential energy zero to two corpuscles placed at the distance
a, their potential energy at the distance a -\- da will be
e* e^ c' i Sa {3a)
in{a -\-Sa) ina 45i
a* ^" a' r
The value of da being 2g for the pair AB, — 2g for CD, and
— for the remaining pairs, we find the following expression for the
mutual potential energy of the four corpuscles
9'--ieQ,g' m
As to the potential energy m of a corpuscle with respect to the
positive sphere, we may write for it e{(p — qpj, if the potential due
to the sphere has the value (p^ for the position of equilibrium of the
corpuscle and the value qp for its new position. Therefore, since (p
is a function of the distance r from the centre, we may write, deno-
ting by (Jr the change of r,
Takmg into account that, by Poisson's equation,
d^qp 2 d()p
dr°' r dr ^'
and that — ^ , the electric force actiug on the electron in its ori-
ginal position, is equal to
e J^
4«P ~ y Po»")
we find
48 NOTES. 295
li A'B' is the line AB displaced, and E' its middle point, we have
OE' = l+p, E'A' = i,a + g,
OA' =Y{f+p)^+(Xa + cjy,
and therefore for the electron A
The same value holds for B and we get those for G and D by
changing the signs of p and g. Substituting in (90) and taking the
sum of the four values, we find
which, added to (89), gives
f^ = e [ -2 (Po - q) ~. (2 Ip + agf-^ q, (2p' + 'ig')
= 2m(ccif' + 2^pg + yg^),
if we put
The square of the velocity heing p^+g^ for each electron, we have
T=2m{p' + g'), (91)
and the equations of motion
dt\dp)^dp ' dt\d'g) ^ dg ~
assume the form
p + ap + ^g = 0, g + ^p-\.y(j = Q.
If we put
p = Jc Goant, g = sp,
the constants n and s are determined by the equations
-w2 + (a + i3s) = 0, -sn2 + (/3 + ys) =
from which (181) and (183) are easily deduced.
In the calculation of the influence of a magnetic field on the vibra-
tions to which the formula (183j relates, we may consider the three
modes of motion, corresponding to a definite value of s, which, in the
absence of a magnetic field, have the same frequency, say »(,, as the only
ones of which the system is capable. Reverting to the formulae of § 90,
296 NOTES. 48
we shall call p^, p^, p^ the three displacements, common to all the
electrons, which occur in the three modes, this displacement being
parallel to OX in the first mode, to OT in the second and io OZ
in the third. It is to be understood that p.^ is now what is called
p in § 100, and that in every case the displacements p are attended
with transverse displacements g = + sp.
The equation {91) gives for each mode
so that the coefficients m^, m^, m^ introduced in § 89 have the
common value
mo = 4/M(l+s^). (92)
The coefficients f^, f^, f«, are also equal to each other, and if we
substitute
(cf. (175)), we find the following equations
- iihc^ili + Wo W - »*^) ^2 - i^Ciili = 0; ■ (93)
- inaC^iQi - i^Cas 1^ + ^o (V — '^^) ii=^,.
corresponding to (176) and giving for the frequencies of the magnetic
triplet (cf. (177))
n, and n^ ± g^Z-zpy^^ V'cl^cli + c\^ ■ (94)
It remains to determine the coefficients c, for which purpose we
have to return to (173).
The expression P^Sp^ represents the work done, in the case of
the virtual displacement 8p^, by the electromagnetic forces that are
called into play by the motion of the electrons in the magnetic field H.
Consequently, c^^ix^dp^ is the work of these forces in so far as they
are due to the velocities of the particles in the motion determined
by Pg. Calculating this work, we shall find the value of Cjg-
It will be weU to introduce the rectilinear coordinates of the
four corpuscles in their positions of equilibrium. If the axes are
properly chosen, these are for A: I, I, I, for B: I, — Z, —I, for C:
— I, I, —I, and for I): —I, —I, I.
When the coordinate p^ is changed by 8p^, the four particles
undergo a displacement equal to Sp^ in the direction of OX, com-
bined with displacements sdp^ directed along the line AB foi A
und B and along CB for G and B. Taking into acount that in
the case of a positive s8p^, the distance from OX is increased for
48
NOTES.
297
for A:
SPi,
s'^lh,
s'di),.
„ B:
^Pi,
-s'dp^,
-s'dp,,
„ c
^Pi,
-s'dp,,
s'dp,,
„ D
SPi,
s'dp,,
-s'dp,.
A and B, and diminislied for C and D, and putting s' = s]/-|-, we
find for the rectangular components of the displacement
(95)
If here, instead of dp,, we wrote p,, we should get the com-
ponents of the velocities occurring in the motion p,. Similarly, the
velocities in the motion p^ are
(96)
We have now to fix our attention on the electromagnetic forces
due to these velocities, and to determine the work of these forces
corresponding to the displacements (95). The result is found to de-
pend on the component H^ only, and we shall therefore omit from
the beginning aH terms with H^ and H . Thus we write
for A
s'ih,
Pi,
s'h,
„ B
-s'iK,
ih,
■^'I>i,
„ c
— s'ih>
k,
-s'i>2,
V B
s'i>2>
h,
-s'A,
v.H.
■v.H„
for the components of the electromagnetic force acting on an electron,
by which, taking V^ and V from {96), we find the following forces
acting on the coi"puscles in the directions of OX and OY:
for A:
„ B:
, C:
„ B:
fill / •
--^".sp^,
« u '•
-j".sp^,
— n.sjh,
c • -^ -'
e li , ■
-^^.sp,.
Finally, in order to find the work fi2i>2^i'i; '^e must take the
products of these quantities and the corresponding ones in the first
two columns of (95), and add the results. This leads to the value
, = 44HXl-s'^) = 4--^H,(l-iA
and similarly
298 NOTES. 49, 50
c.a = 4 1 H,(l - -\s'), c,,= 4.^ H,(l - -\s%
so that the last term of (94) is equal to
_i_ _i _ I H I •*• "^^
— 2cm II' 1+s^ ■
DiTiding this by the corresponding term in (164), we find
_ 1— |s^
from which the values (184) and (185) are easily deduced.
{97)
49 (Page 123). Let p — (j^ be made to approach the limit
from the positive side, so that, by (182), v = + oo. Taking into
account that
and that the limit of
V
is 2, one will easily find that the formulae (183) — (185) lead to the
values given in the text.
The same results are also obtained when Q — Qq is supposed to
approach the limit from the negative side.
It must, however, be noticed that, as (97) shows, for one of the
two solutions (namely for the one for which m = — \) the coefficient
s determined by (181) becomes infinite, indicating that for this so-
lution p = Q (since g must be finite). The corresponding vibrations
would therefore be ineffective in the limiting case (§ 99), because
the radiation is due to the vibrations of the electrons in the di-
rection of OX.
50 (Page 123). After having found the frequency n, we may
deduce from the equations [93) the ratios between q^, q^, q^, which
determine the form of the vibrations, and the nature of the light
emitted. We shall abbreviate by putting
4|(l-is^) = <J, i.98)
so that
and, by (94) and {92), for the outer lines of the triplet
«„c
"0
+ riH!, {99)
m.
where we shall understand by ] H | a positive number.
50 NOTES. 299
If h is a unit vector in the direction of the magnetic force, the
equations (93) assume the form
±Q2 + i{K(ls-KQi)-Q,\ {100)
Let
2i = a^+;b,, <?2 = a^ + ibj„ ^3 = a, + ^b,
be a set of complex values satisfying these conditions and let us con-
sider a^, b^, etc. as the components of certain vectors a and b.
Separating the real and the imaginary parts of {100), we find
the equations
+ a-[b-h] = 0,, +b + [a-h] = 0,
showing in the first place that the vectors a and b must be at right
angles both to the magnetic field and to each other, and in the
second place that they must be of equal magnitude.
We are now in a position to determine the nature of the light
emitted by the vibrating system. As we found in § 39, the radia-
tion of an electron depends on its acceleration only. We infer
from this that, when there are a certain number of equal electrons,
the resultant radiation will be the same as if we had a single corpuscle
with the same charge, whose displacement from its position of equi-
librium were at every instant equal to the resultant of the displace-
ments of the individual electrons. Now, in the first mode of motion
which we have considered in what precedes, the resultant displace-
ment is obviously 4jj in the direction of OX. In this way it is
seen that the radiation going forth fi'om the tetrahedron when it
vibrates in the manner we have now been examining is equal to that
from a single electron, the „equivalent'' electron as we may call it,
the components of whose displacement are given by the real parts
of the expressions
A:q^E'"', Aq^j*"', ^tp^e'"',
i. e. by
4a^ cos ut — 4 b^ sin w if, |
Adi,j cos nt — 4bj^ sinn^, | {^^l)
4aj cos nt — 4b^ sinnt. I
The equivalent electron therefore has a motion compounded of
two rectilinear vibrations in the directions of the vectors a and b,
with equal amplitudes 4 a| and 4|b| and with a difference of phase of
a quarter period. Hence, it moves with constant velocity in a circle
whose plane is perpendicular to the magnetic force, and the radiation
300 NOTES, 51
will be much the same as in the elementary theory of the Zee-
man- effect.
When we take the upper signs in our formulae we have
a = [bh],
from which it follows that the circular motion represented by (lOT)
has the direction of that of the hands of a clock, if the observer is
placed on the side towards which the lines of force are directed.
Therefore in this case the light emitted in the direction of the lines
of force has a right-handed circular polarization. Its polarization is
left-handed when we take the under signs.
Now, the equation {99) shows that, when 6 is positive, the fre-
quency is greatest for the right-handed, and least for the left-handed
circular polarization, contrary to what we found in the elementary
theory of the Zeeman- effect. The reverse, however, will be the
case, when 6 has a negative value. Since the charge e is negative,
it follows from {97) and {98) that the signs of 6 and co are
opposite. The sign of the Zeeman-effect will therefore be that which
we found in the elementary theory or the reverse according as to is
positive or negative.
51 (Page 126). When the particle has a velocity of translation V,
the forces acting on one of its electrons are
Here, denoting by x, y, z the coordinates of the electron with
respect to the centre of the particle, and distinguishing by the index
the values at that point, we may replace H^, H, , H^ by
Ho.+ ^|"/ + 2/f^ + 4J, etc. {102)
Substituting this in the expressions
2:{yZ-zY), etc.
for the components of the resultant couple and using the equations
of § 104, we find
^ t ^^^- 'y'-^^f - V. t ^^^+ ^'^ t ^^1' ^*-
cy "*" dz dx '
c l^': dx ^ V dy ^ • dz i> ^^^-
51 NOTES. 301
When the field is constant and if in the symbol -77 we under-
stand by H the magnetic force at the point occupied by the particle
at the time t, the couple is given by
_cKdM
c dt '
and, since the moment of inertia is "ImK, the change of the angular
velocity k is determined by
rfk _ _ e dH
dt 2mc dt
Hence, on the assumption that the particle -did not rotate so long
as it w^as outside the field,
k = --^-H.
2mc
In the above calculation no attention has been paid to the elec-
tromagnetic forces called into play by the rotation itself. In as much
as the magnetic field may be considered as homogeneous throughout
the extent of the particle, these forces produce no resultant couple,
just because the axis of rotation is parallel to the lines of force.
This is seen as follows. If r denotes the vector drawn from the
centre to one of the electrons, we have for the linear velocity of
that corpuscle
v = [k-rj,
and for the electromagnetic force acting on it
F = |[v-H] = |{(k-H)r-(r.H)k}.
The moment of this force with respect to the centre is
[r.F] = -|(r.H)[r.k],
so that its components are
-±ixW^ + yW,^ + ,W^){y\,-,V,), etc. {103)
From this we find for the components of the resultant moment
--^^(H,k,-H,k^), etc.,
from which it is seen that this moment is zero when k has the
direction of H.
The problem is more complicated when we take into account
the small variations of the magnetic field from one point of the par-
ticle to another. I shall observe only that, if we use the values
302 NOTES. 52, 53
{102), we must add to {103) terms of the third order with respect to
X, y, s, and that the sum of these terms vanishes in many cases, for
instance when, corresponding to each electron with coordinates x, y, z,
there is another with the coordinates — x, — y, — s.
52 (Page 126). Let k and r have the same meaniag as in the
preceding Note and let V be the absolute velocity of an electron, v'
its relative velocity with respect to the rotating particle, so that
V = [k ■ r] + v'. {lOA)
From this we find for the acceleration
q = V = [k f] + v' = [k V] + v'-
The change of v' consists of two parts
v'=[kv'] + q',
where the second is the relative acceleration and the first the change
that would be produced in v' if there were no such acceleration; in
this case v' would simply turn round with the particle. Since, on
account of {104^, we may write
[k.v']=[k.v],
when we neglect the square of k, we are led to the formula
q = q' + 2[kv]-
53 (Page 135). In this statement it has been tacitly assumed
that the bounding surface G of the spherical space S does not inter-
sect any particles. Suppose, for instance, the molecules to be so
polarized hat each has a positive electron on the right and a negative
one on the left-hand side, and draw the axis OX towards the first
side. Then, when the surface e passes in all its parts through the space
between the particles, the integral fgxdS will be equal to the sum
of the electric moments of the particles enclosed, and may with
propriety be called the moment of the part of the body within the
surface (cf. equation (195)). If, on the contrary, molecules are inter-
sected, the value of the integral does not merely depend on the com-
plete particles lying in the space S, but it must be taken into account
that, in addition to these, 6 encloses a certain number of negative
electrons on the right-hand side, and a certain number of positive elec-
trons on the opposite side. Even when these additional electrons are
much less numerous than those belonging to the complete particles
they may contribute an appreciable part to the integral, because the
difference between the values of x for the positive and the negative
64 NOTES. 303
ones is comparable with the dimensions of the space S itself, and
therefore much greater than the corresponding difference for two elec-
trons lying in the same particle.
The following remarks may, however, serve to remove all doubts
as to the validity of the relation
pV = P.
When the molecules are irregularly arranged, as they are in li-
quids and gases, some of them (and even some electrons) are cer-
tainly intersected by the spherical surface used in the definition of
the mean values 9. But, on account of the assumptions made about
the dimensions of 6, the intersections wiU be much less numerous
than the molecules whoUy lying within the surface, and if, in calculating
j(pdS, we omit the parts of particles enclosed by 0, this will lead to
no error, provided that the function qp be of such a kind that the
contribution to the integral from one of those parts is not very much
greater than the contribution from one of the complete particles.
This condition is fulfilled in the case of the integral J()\^dS,
because there is no reason why the velocities V should be exceptio-
nally great near the surface 0. Without changing the value of the
integral, we may therefore make the surface pass between the par-
ticles (by slightly deforming it), and then we may be sure that
f Q\^dS= J- I QxdS, and that the latter integral represents the total
electric moment of all the complete particles in the space S.
54 (Page 138). We shall observe in the first place that the
field in the immediate neighbourhood of a polarized particle may be
determined by the rules of electrostatics, even when the electric mo-
ment is not constant. Take, for instance, the case treated in § 43.
It was stated in Note 23 that at great distances the terms resulting
from the differentiation of the goniometric function are very much
greater than those which arise from the differentiation of y ■ These
latter, on the contrary, predominate when we confine ourselves to
distances that are very small in comparison with the wave-length;
then (cf. (88) and (89)) we may write
a = 0,
d = — grad qp, h = 0,
from which it appears that the field is identical with the electro-
static field that would exist, if the moment p were kept constant.
304 NOTES. 54
It is further to be noted that the difference between the mean
electric force E and the electric force existing in a small cavity depends
only on actions going on at very short distances, so that we may
deal with this difference as if we had to do with an electrostatic
system.
Let us therefore consider a system of molecules with invariable
electric moments and go into some details concerning the electric
force existing in it.
The field produced by the electrons being determined by
Agj = — p,
d = — grad q),
we have for the mean values
A<p = — (0,
E = d = — grad 9 ,
or, in words: the mean electric force is equal to the force that
would be produced by a charge distributed with the mean or, let us
say, the „effective" density q.
In the definition of a mean value 9 given in § 113, it was ex-
pressly stated that the space S was to be of spherical form. It is
easily seen, however, that we may as well give it any shape we like,
provided that it be infinitely small in the physical sense. The equation
may therefore be interpreted by saying that for any space of the
said kind the effective charge (meaning by these words the product
of Q and S) is equal to the total real charge.
We shall now examine the distribution of the effective charge.
Suppose, for the sake of simplicity, that a molecule contains two
electrons situated at the points A and J3 with charges — e and + e,
and denote by r the vector AB. There will be as many of these
vectors, of different directions and lengths, as there are molecules. Now,
if the length of these vectors is very much greater than the size of
the electrons, we may neglect the intersections of the bounding sur-
face of the space S with the electrons themselves, but there will be
a great number of intersections with the lines AIB. These may not
be left out of account, because for any complete molecule fgdS = 0,
whereas each of the said intersections contributes to the effective
charge within an amount — e or -(- e according as r^ (where n is
the normal to drawn outwards) is positive or negative (cf Note 53).
54 NOTES. 305
Hence, the total charge within 6 may be represented by a surface
integral. In order to find the part of it corresponding to an ele-
ment d0 (infinitely small in a physical sense) we begin by fixing our
attention on those among the lines AB which have some definite
direction and some definite length. If the starting points A are ir-
regularly distributed and if, for the group considered, their number
per unit of volume is r, the number of intersections with ds will be
vr^de when r„ is positive, and — vr^ds when it is negative. There-
fore, the part contributed to the charge within (j is — ver^de in
both cases, and the total part associated with ds is —ZveC^de, the sum
being extended to all the groups of lines AB. But er is the electric
moment of a particle, ver the moment per unit of volume of the
chosen group, and —vcr the total moment per unit of volume. De-
noting this by P, we have for the above expression — Ever^de the
value — P^, and for the effective charge enclosed by the surface 6
-fP„d6. {105)
As the difference between E and the electric force in a cavity
depends exclusively on the state of the system in the immediate vici-
nity of the point considered, we may now conceive the polarization P
to be uniform. In this case the integral (105) is zero for any closed
surface entirely lying within the body, so that the effective charge
may be said to have its seat on the bounding surface E. Its surface
density is found by calculating (105) for the surface of a flat cy-
linder, the two plane sides of which are on both sides of an element
dZ a.i a distance from each other that is infinitely small in compa-
rison with the dimensions of dE. Calling N the normal to the sur-
face E, we have at the "outer plane P„ = (if we suppose the body
to be surrounded by ether), and at the inner one P„ = — Pjf. The
amount of the effective charge contained in the cylinder is therefore
CTiven by PydZ, and the charge may be said to be distributed over
the surface with a density Pjv.
Now consider a point A of the body. By what has been said,
the electric force E at this point is due to the charge P,v on the
bounding surface E. If, however, a spherical cavity is made around
A as centre, there wiU be at this point an additional electric force
E', caused by a similar charge on the walls of the cavity, and ob-
viously having the direction of P The magnitude of this force is
found as follows. Let a be the radius of the sphere, de an element
of its surface, d' the angle between the radius drawn towards this
element and the polarization P. The surface density on de being
— i P I cos -a-, we have for the force produced at A
\P\ C0B^»d6,
L r e n t z , Theory of electrons. "0
306 NOTES. 55-67
giving
E'=^P.
Our foregoing remarks show that the exf)ressioii
E + iP
may always be used for the electric force at the centre of a sphe-
rical cavity, even though the polarization of the body change from
point to point and from one instant to the next.
55 (Page 138). In the case of a cubical arrangement all the
particles within the sphere may be said to have equal electric mo-
ments p. Taking the centre A of the sphere as origin of coordinates,
we have for the force exerted in the direction of a; by a particle si-
tuated at the point {x, y, s), at a distance r from the centre,
Pj. Sx^ — r" pj, Sxy p. Sxz
But the sums
^ p ' ^ 7.6" ) ^ -fir
are zero, when extended to all the particles within the sphere. For
the second and the third sum this is immediately clear if we take
the axes of coordinates parallel to the principal directions of the
cubical arrangement. Further, for axes of this direction,
showing that each of these expressions must be zero, because their
sura is so.
56 (Page 139). It must be noticed that this magnetic force H
produces a force
4 [V • H]
acting on an electron. Since, in a beam of light, H is in general of
the same order of magnitude as the electric force E (cf. the equations (7)),
this force is of the order of magnitude — in comparison with the
force eE. It may therefore be neglected because the amplitudes of
the electrons are extremely small with respect to the wave-length,
so that the velocity of vibration is m\ich smaller than the speed
of light.
57 (Page 141). In order to compare the effect of the collisions
with that of a resistance of the kind represented by (197), we shall
67 NOTES. 307
first, consider the vibrations set up in an isolated particle whose
electron is subjected to a periodic electric force
E^ =p cos nt {106)
and to the forces determined by (196) and (197j. The equation
of motion
is most easily solved if, following the method indicated in § 119, we
replace (106) by
In this way we find for the forced vibrations
i = ^ gint ^ P^ int (10?)
f — mn''-{-ing m(»?„* — n^)-\-ing ' \ ')
where
v = --
" m
Let us next suppose that there is no true resistance, but that
the vibrations of the electrons are over and over again, disturbed by
impacts occurring at irregular intervals. In this ease the motion of
each particle from the last collision up to the instant t for which we
wish to calculate ^, is determined by the equation
the general solution of which is
where the integration constants C^ and C2 will vary from one par-
ticle to another. These constants are determined by the values of |
and -jT, say (^)q and I-tt) , immediately after the last collision. Now
among the great number of particles, we may distinguish a group,
still very numerous, for which the last collision has taken place at a
definite instant t^. Supposing that, after the impact, all directions of
the displacement and the velocity are equally probable, we shall find
the mean value of § for this group, if in (108) we determine C^ and
G2 by the conditions that for t = t^ both | and , vanish. The
result is
* m(M„*— M*)l 2 \ nj 2 \ nj j '
or, if we put
20*
308 NOTES. 58
This is the mean value of | taken for a definite instant t and for
those particles for which a time ■9- has elapsed since their last col-
lision, and we shall obtain an expression that may be compared
with (107), if we take the mean of (109) for all the groups of par-
ticles which differ from each other by the length of the interval &.
Let N be the total number of particles considered, and A the
number of collisions which they undergo per unit of time, so that
the time r mentioned in the text is given by
N
The collisions succeeding each other quite irregularly, we may reckon
that the number of the particles for which the interval &■ lies
between & and & -\- d& is
As ^dd- = ^e "^dd-; (110)
this is found by a reasoning similar to that which we used in Note 36.
We must therefore multiply (109) by (110), integi*ate from d- =0
to # = oo, and divide by N. In this way we get for the final mean
value of the displacement
Neglecting the term -, in the denominator we see that under the
influence of the collisions the phenomena will be the same, as if there
were a resistance determined by
2m
58 (Page 147). In the case of a mixture the electric moment
P is made up of as many parts P^, Pg, . . . as there are constituents.
Reasoning as in §§ 116 — 119 we can establish for each component
formulae like (200), so that, if we put a = J-, we have for the first
substance
for the second
59, 60 NOTES. 309
and so on. Hence, if all the dependent variables vary as a*"*,
D ■■ . E + jP p _ E + ^P
fY—m^'n'" 2 fY — J»j'n*'''*'
and, if we put
1 , 1 __ , _ ,,
Combining this with (192) we find
n = ^-ii " F
and for the index of refraction
Now each term --j-^ , -.t siTes the value of ^, , „ for one of
3(/ — m n^) ^ (<■ + 2
the constituents taken with the density mq which it has in the
mixture, a value that is found when we multiply the constant r for the
constituent in question by the density niQ. This immediately leads
to equation (218).
59 (Page 149). According to the equations (220), if we put
a = ^-, the displacements |j, Sj; •• • ^re determined by
(/;-m,«2)li = e,(E, + iPJ, etc.
Consequently
with similar formulae for Ne^T]^, Ne-^^^, etc. Hence, taking the sums,
P (f \ ^ P\i ^"'^ I ^^^ ' I 1
from which the formula (222) is easily found.
60 (Page 153). The direct result of the substitution is
/c* cVc^\ _ . ic^k _ . 1 _ . a — i§
\v' n' ) *Tw ~ ^" a + i/3 ^ '^ a' + §''
giving
,l2 _ i- - =1-1- -^
from which the equations (227) and (228) are easily deduced.
310 NOTES. 61, 62
61 (Page 154). The expression -rT"fl2 considered as a function
of a has a maximum value -^ for a = /3: it is therefore rery small
when j3 is large. It follows from this that even the greatest values
of -^Tn?2 ^^® ^^ *^^ order of magnitude -j, so that we may ex-
pand the square root in (227) and (228) in ascending powers of
that quantity. Hence, if we neglect terms of the order ^3 ,
V
. 2« + l _ -, , 1 2a + 1 1 (2« + l)-
~^ „2 I 02 -"-In
a2 + ^2 - 1 2 a'+ ^^ 8 (a2 +
and this may be replaced by
. Jt_ 2o:+ 1 1 a^
2 a* + /32 2 (a2_j_(32)!!>
because the quantity 7 tjT 52V2 never has a value greater than one of
the order -^ ■
Finally
We are therefore led to (229) and (230) if in fi we neglect terms of
the order -^, and in h terms of the order ^^. Indeed, if we want
to know h with this degree of approximation, we may omit in Ic^ and
c^h^ 1
in — Y quantities of the order -^, as we have done in (HI).
62 (Page 156). If Jdn is the intensity of the incident light,
in so far as it belongs to frequencies between n and n -{- dn, the
amount of light that is absorbed by a layer with the thickness z/,
upon which the rays fall in the direction of the normal is given by
the integral
^=/(l-6-2*^)J'rfw,
where we have taken into account that the intensity is proportional
to the square of the amplitude. If the absorption band is rather
narrow, we may put
7, = < . _J.
2c c<:« + |32
and, in virtue of (231),
dn = — ~~, — -, da ■
2 m w„
6S 64, NOTES. 311
Further, we may extend the integration from a = — c<j to « = + oo,
considering j3 = n^' g' and J as constants. The calculation is easily
performed for a thin layer, for which
1 - £-2*^ = 2kzl - 2F^^.
It is found that the part of A that is due to the first term is
independent of g' or g. When, however, the second term is retained,
A increases with the resistance g.
63 (Page 161). This is easily found if the denominator of (239)
is written in the form
{«(l+«)-^2-y^) + /(l+2«)/3
and then multiplied hy the conjugate complex expression.
64 (Page 167). The explanation of magneto-optical phenomena
becomes much easier if the particles of a luminous or an absorbing
body are supposed to take a definite orientation under the action of
a magnetic field. On this assumption, which makes it possible to
dismiss the condition of isotropy of the particles (§ 93), Voigt') has
been able to account for many of the more complicated forms of
the Zeeman-effect; it was found sufficient to suppose that each par-
ticle contains two or more mutually connected electrons whose motion
is determined by equations similar to our formulae of § 90, the recti-
linear coordinates of the electrons now taking the place of the general
coordinates p. The theory thus obtained must undoubtedly be con-
sidered as the best we possess at present, though the nature of the
connexions remains in the dark, and though Voigt does not attempt
to show in what manner the actions determined by the coefficients c
are produced by the magnetic field.
I must also mention the beautiful phenomena that have been
discovered by J. Becquerel. ^) Certain crystals containing the ele-
ments erbium and didymium show a great number of absorption
bands, many of which are so sharp, especially at the low tempera-
tures obtainable by means of liquid air or liquid hydrogen^), that
they may be compared with the lines of gaseous bodies, and these
bands show in remarkable diversity the Zeeman-effect and the
phenomena connected with it. Of course, in the case of these crystals
1) W. Voigt, Magneto- und Elektrooptik, Leipzig, 1908.
2) J. Becquerel, Comptes rendus 142 (1906), p. 776, 874, 1144; 143(1906),
p. 769, 890, 962, 1133; 144 (1907), p. 132, 420, 682, 1032, 1330.
3) H. Kamei-lingli Onnes and J. Becquerel, Amsterdam Proceedings!
10 (1908), p. 592.
312 NOTES. «5
the hypothesis of isotropic particles would be whoUy misplaced. Voigt
and Becquerel found it possible to explain the larger part of the
observed phenomena on the lines of Voigt's new theory to which
I have just alluded.
In § 91 it was stated that a true magnetic division of a spectral
line is to be expected only when the original line is in reality a
multiple one, i. e. when, in the absence of a magnetic field, there are
two or more equal frequencies. Voigt has pointed out that, when
originally there are two frequencies, not exactly but only nearly
equal, similar effects may occur, sometimes with the peculiarity that
there is a dissymmetry, more or less marked, in the arrangement of the
components observed under the action of a magnetic field. Cases of
this kind frequently occur in Becquerel's experiments, and Voigt
is of opinion that many of the dissymmetries observed with isotropic
bodies (§ 142), if not all, may be traced to a similar cause.
It is very interesting that some of Becquerel's lines show the
Zeeman-effeet in a direction opposite to the ordinary one (i. e. with
a reversal of the circular polarization commonly observed in the lon-
gitudinal effect) and to a degree that is equal or even superior to the
intensity of the effect in previously observed cases. These phenomena and
similar ones occurring with certain lines of gaseous bodies^) have led
some physicists to admit the existence of vibrating positive electrons, for
which the value of — would be comparable with or even greater than
the value found for the negative electrons of the cathode rays. Thej"^
may also be explained by the assumption that in some systems of
molecules, under the influence of an external magnetic field, there are
motions of electricity such as to produce in the interior of the par-
ticles a field that is opposite to the external one. To this latter hypothesis
Becquerel, however, objects that, like all phenomena of induced
magnetization, the internal fields in question would in all probability
be liable to considerable changes when the body is heated or cooled,
whereas the magnetic division of spectral lines remains constant
through a wide range of temperatures.
The possibility of a third explanation, though one about which I
am very doubtful, is perhaps suggested by what we found in § 102,
namely by the reversion of the ordinary direction of the effect caused
by a particular arrangement of a number of negative electrons.
65 (Page 171). If x, y, z are the coordinates of a particle of
tbe medium at the time t, its coordinates at the time t -^ dt will
be equal to
1) J. Becquerel, Comptes rendus 14G (1908), p. 683; A. Dufour, ibidem,
p. 118, 229, 634, 810; R. W. Wood, Phil. Mag. (6) 15 (1908), p. 274.
66, 67 NOTES. 313
a=' = ^ + Sa^dt, y' = y + Q^^dt, n' = z + g^dt.
Here g^, g^,, g^ may be regarded as linear functions of x, y, s,
so that, for instance,
9x = « + /3a; + 72/ + Sz,
or, as we may write as well
9x = a + /5x' + yy' + 6/.
The particles which originally lie in the plane
X = a
will have reached the plane
re' = a + (« + /3a;' + yij + dz) dt
at the end of the interval considered. The direction constants of the
normal to this plane are proportional to
1-fidt, ~ydt, -6dt
or to
1_|8^^<, -q^-dt, ~^B- dt.
66 (Page 173). Let a sphere of radius B move with the con-
stant velocity iv through an incompressible medium, and let us sup-
pose the motion of the latter to be irrotational. Then, if the centre
of the sphere is taken as origin of coordinates, and the line of mo-
tion as axis of x, the velocity potential is given by
giving for the components of the velocity
^ _ Jl P3 ,,. 3 a;' — ?■'
dx
At a point of the intersection of the surface with the plane YOZ,
these values become
-i-w, 0, 0,
so that the relative velocity of sliding is — -|w.
67 (Page 173). Instead of considering a uniform translation of
the earth through the ether, we may as well conceive the planet to
be at rest, and the ether to flow along it, so that, at infinite di-
stance, it has a constant velocity w^ in the direction of OZ.
314 NOTES. 67
Let the ether obey Boyle's law, and let it be attracted by the
earth with a force inversely proportional to the square of the distance
r from the centre. Then, when there is no motion of the medium,
the density k and the pressure p wiU be functions of r, determined
by the equation of equilibrium
dp coJc
dr r^ '
and the relation
Ic = ^p,
where m und ^ are constants.
These conditions are satisfied by
log/« = -^ + log/(;o,
JvQ beiag the density at infinite distance.
Now, there can be a state of motion in which there is a velo-
city potential (p, and in which the density Ic has the value given by
the above formula. Indeed, if we put
(p = z
«6v-i)+K'^+i)^';
(understanding by a and & constants and taking the centre of the
sphere as origin of coordinates), the components of the velocity
dw Of dw
dx' oy' dz
satisfy the equation of continuity
8{lcu) d(kv) d(kw) __ „
dx dy dz
The form of <p has been chosen with a view to the remaining
conditions of the problem, namely:
dx ' dy ' dz
for r=oo: — = 0, ~ = 0, -^
and
for r = R (i. e. at the surface of the earth): -^
These conditions lead to the equations
-(S+^;+i)'"''»-
Along the intersection of the planet's surface with the a;i/-plane
there is a velocity of sliding
_ /i 0) /i m
«8 NOTES. 315
This is found to be 0,011 Wo if ^ = 10, and 0,0056 »„ if ^ = 11.
In these cases the ratio between the density near the surface and
that at infinite distance would be s^° or s^^ respectively.
68 (Page 181). Let the relative rays converge towards a point 0,
which we take as origin of coordinates, and let us determine the form
of the waves by the construction explained in § 153. We have to
compound a vector in the direction of the relative ray and having
the magnitude v' with a vector — ,. Neglecting quantities of the
second order, we may also make the iirst vector equal to v, the wave
velocity in the medium when at rest, and we may consider this ve-
locity as constant in the immediate neighbourhood of the point 0.
Moreover, the second vector may be regarded as having a constant
magnitude, say in the direction of OX.
Now, at a point (a;, y, z), at a distance r from 0, the compo-
nents of the first vector are
X y z
r ' r r '
and those of the second
-ifll
so that the components of the resultant vector, which is at right
angles to the wave-front, are
f a; , g h y z
\ r ' u^ J ' r ' r
The equation of the surface normal to the resultant vector is
therefore
vr -\-^X;X= G,
This is the equation of an ellipsoid, the centre of which has
the coordinates
__5^
if
ft '
and whose semi-axes have the directions of OX, OF, OZ and the
lengths
vC C C
V^—CC"' yt,2_a8' |/„2_^8
316 NOTES. 6»
Since the square of a is neglected, we may say that the waves
are of spherical form. Their centre approaches the point as the
constant C diminishes.
69 (Page 191). If n is the frequency of the source of light,
the frequency at a fixed point in one of the tubes will also be n,
because the successive waves take equal times to reach this point.
Hence, with reference to fixed axes, a beam of light may be repre-
sented by expressions of the form
a cos wu \-p),
where u is the velocity in question.
Transforming to axes moving with the fluid — and confining
ourselves to one of the two cases distinguished in the text — , we
have to put
X = x' -{- wt,
by which the above expression becomes
a cos nit t Vv]-
In this way the relative frequency is seen to be
for which, denoting by fi the refractive index for the frequency n,
we may write
c
because u differs from — only by a quantity proportional to w.
The index of refraction corresponding to the frequency n is
iiiv du,
' c an '
and the corresponding velocity of propagation
c c w dfi, c IV rpdfi c IV d (I
iiw du, u, u, dn ii u, dT u, u, dX'
c dn
if /I is the wave-length.
This is the velocity to which we must add the term w(l A •
In the case of water we have for the spectral line D
1- A = 0,438
and
1--,- -llf = 0,451
70-72 NOTES. 317
whereas, if the velocity relative to the fixed parts of the apparatus
is represented by
(I —
e = 0,434 (with a possible error of + 0,02) is the value which
Michelson and Morley deduced from their experiments.
70 (Page 191). For the case of a mirror the proposition is
easily proved after the manner indicated in § 154. If, supposing the
mirror to be made of a metallic substance, we want to deduce the
same result from the theorem of corresponding states (§§ 162 and 165),
we must first extend this theorem to absorbing bodies. This can
really be done.^)
71 (Page 192). Beams of light consisting of parallel rays, in a
stationary and in a moving crystal, wiU correspond to each other
when their lateral boundary is the same, i. e. when the relative rays
have the same direction s. In both cases we may consider a defi-
nite line of this direction, and write down the equations for the
disturbance of equilibrium at different points of this line, reckoning
the distance s from a fixed point of it. For the stationary crystal
the vibrations are represented by expressions of the form
a cosn U \-p) ,
and the corresponding expressions for the other case have the form
a cos n (t' h p) ;
or, since along the line considered
acosn{t—^-~+pj,
from which it appears that the velocity u' of the ray relative to
the ponderable matter is determined by
1 1 , w, , W
- -, = — I , u = u r w»
72 (Page 194). Strictly speaking, it must be taken into account
that in the moving system the relative rays may slightly deviate
1) See H. B. A. Bockwinkel, Sur les pWnomenes du rayonnement dans
un systeme qui se meut d'une vitease uniforme par rapport a Tether. Arch,
neerl. (2) 14 (1908), p. 1.
318 NOTES. 73
from these lines, the theorem that their course is not altered by a
translation having been proved only when we neglected terms of the
second order. Closer examination shows, however, that no error is in-
troduced by this circumstance.^)
73 (Page 197). In virtue of (286) and (287) we have the
following general relations between the differential coefficients with
respect to x, y, z, t and those with respect to x, y, z , t'
d 11 S 1 ■, w d d 1 d d id (iio\
^ = U^-hUv^- {113)
The equation (17) therefore assumes the form
dx ' dy dz c^ 8t ^ ' ^ ^
and the first of the three equations contained in (19) becomes
i/dh, dhii\ M rd,. , , w Sd, ,1 /.. , ^ r-i-i~\
^ W - ^') = 'o it' - ^^ -7 W + c ^ ("- + ^)- (^^•')
Substituting the value of -^ taken from this formula in (114),
we find
dx dy dz' c \dy' dz'l c- dx \ c^ ' ^ c^ "'
where 1 ^ may be replaced by ^ .
I
h
Hence, multiplying by -^ and taking into account the values
of A'^ etc.,
gd; dA'y ad; _ , wu'^ ,
dx "•" dy'^ dz ^ c^ ^'
which is the first of the equations (292),
dx'
P) ri
If, on the other hand, the value of ^f drawn from (114) is
substituted in {115), one finds
7 /'ilk _ ^^y\ _ i^ ^Is'^ _ l5 ^^ _ /M _ '^"'^ 8d^ 1
\dy' dz' ) c dy'' c dz' ~ \c c" ) dt' +7^"^'
or , after multiplication by -4 >
1) Lorentz, De I'influence clu mouvement de la terre sur les pli(5nomene3
lumineux, Arch, neerl. 21 (1887), p. 169 — 172 (Abhandlungen fiber theoretisohe
Physik, 1, p. 389—392).
74 NOTES. 319
8h^ _8yy _ 1^ (dd^ , , ,\
dy' 8z' c \dt' '^ ^"^ )'
This is the first of the equations contained in
The remaining formulae are obtained by similar transformations.
74 (Page 198). The equations (292) have the same form as
(100)— (103) and the proof of (295) and (296) is therefore almost
identical with that given in Note 25 for the formulae (106) and
(107), the first of which takes the form of (295) if the translation
is supposed to have the direction of OX. Therefore, the following
indications may suffice here.
Since, in the equations (292), the independent variables are t'
and the quantities x', y', s defined by (287), it is convenient to regard
these latter as the coordinates of a point in an auxiliary space S"
(cf § 170), and to consider the potentials qp' and a' as quantities to
be defined in this space. Instead of determining them by means of
the differential equations (294), we may as well assume the formulae
and
comparable with (104) and (105). In these formulae dS' denotes an
element of the auxiliary space, r its distance from the point P' for
which we want to calculate the potentials, and the square brackets
serve to indicate that, if we wish to know tp and a' for the value i
of the fourth independent variable, we must use the values of q! and
p'u' corresponding to the element dS' and to the value i — — of
that variable.
Starting from {11(j) and (ii7), we can show (cf. Note 25) that
qo' and a' satisfy the equations (294) and that they are connected
by the relation
Having got thus far, one finds by direct substitution that the
values (295) and (296) satisfy the equations (292) (see, however.
Note 6).
As to the formula {118), the proof of it depends on the equation
||: + div'(,'u')-5^'^3>') = o, {119)
320 NOTES. 7-S
just as, in Note 25, (44) was deduced by means of (45). It remains
therefore to show that (119) holds true for the case now under con-
sideration.
In order to examine this point, we shall again start from equation
(5) of Note 2 or
%+wll + di.(,u)^0.
On account of (287) and (288) we may write for this
T -iSq 77 20,77 So 1 1 1^^ do , T idiQUj^
M^ - Mw ^, + hlw -..-^ — M ^ ^, + Id —^-f
V t OX c oc c V t ex
' dy dz c^ ot
This leads to the equation (119), if, after having combined the two
terms containing ^, we express q and U in p' and u', dividing at the
same time by P.
7S (Page 203). The exact formulae are found as foUows. If
«■,.> Vr' ^r ^^® functions of i, the quantities
may be considered as functions of
i:=\t-u'^,x^. (120)
We have the following relations between simultaneous infinitely
small changes
dx = kldx^, dy' = Idy^, dz = Idz^,
dt' = T dt — Id -^ dx,.
Hence
dt' _
dt "
I
dx^
dt '
dx'
dt'
=
hi
dx^
dt
h^
dx^
dt
I ,.
, 1^
'dx^ ~
L-7c'
, ID dXj. '
h c^
—r- ]
dt
c« dt
dy
- =
1-
^ dt
dx^
dt
d^
' dt' ~
dz^
'" dt
dt'
1-
w dx,.
''' c^ dt
(121)
d X (in d z
The values of ^^,, ^^>%, j-^,-^ are found by differentiating the
last expressions with respect to t, and dividing the results by (121).
76 NOTES. 321
76 (Page 207). Beginning again with the field produced by a
single electron, we may repeat almost verbally what has been said
in Note 26. Thus, let P be the distant point, M the „active"^)
position of the centre of the electron, t^' the local time (of M) at
which this position is reached, r' the eifective distance between 31
and P. Then
r' = c(i'-V),
or, if x'p, y'p, /^ are the eflPective coordinates of P (M being taken as
origin),
^'p'+y';^+^\f=c\t'~Q\ {122)
Let us further denote by x', y, s the effective coordinates of some
point Q of the electron at the time i^ (local time of M.), by x^,
Vai ^a ^^ effective coordinates of the same point in its active po-
sition Q^, and by t^ + t (local time of JM) the time at which this
latter position is reached, so that, according to (288) (for which we
may write t' = jt ^x) the local time of Q^ itself is
ta=U+^-~^'>^^d- {123)
The condition that Q^ shall be the active position of the point
in question is
{x^- x:y+ (/,- yy+{^;-z:r=-c\t'-t:y ^m)
Now, {x, y, z) and [xj, y^, z^) are the effective coordinates of
the same point of the electron at two moments for which the local
time of jSL difi'ers by t. The difference between the corresponding values
of i is yT, as is seen from formula {120), if in it we put x^= 0,
as it is for the point M. But during the interval y r the relative
coordinates of Q change by
h k h
J"x^, T".^, T".^,
so that, on account of (28G), the effective coordinates of the same
point undergo the changes
h^ii^t, hUyX, fcu.T,
or, in virtue of (289),
We may therefore write
xd=x'+u^x, y;=y'+yiyr, ^;=/+u;t.
1) This term is chosen here because the word „effective" has now been
used in another sense.
Lorentz, Theory of electrons. 21
322 NOTES. 76
If these values, together with {123) and {122), are substituted in
{124), and if we neglect terms of the second order with respect to
r, x, y, z, we are led to the formula
{x'x'p + y'y'p+ z'^'p)+ — r'x
where U*"' is an abbreviation for
y{xpU'^+ijpU',j+0'pu:).
We may next consider two elements dS' and dS^' comparable
with the elements dS and dS^, of which we spoke in Note 26. The
ratio between their magnitudes is given by the functional determi-
nant of x^', y^', s^ with respect to x', y, z, i. e. by
' ^ dx ' y dy ' dz '
or, if we confine ourselves to terms of the first order with respect
to u;, u;, u;, by
We have now to use the formulae {116) and {117). In the first
of them we must replace dS' by
and, on account of the smallness of the dimensions of the electron
in comparison with the distance from the point P, r may be taken
equal to the effective distance between M and P. Consequently,
since, by (290) and (302) q dS' = QdS, and fQdS = e, the scalar
potential is given by
where the meaning of the square brackets will be obvious.
The vector potential is equal to
6£^- («s)
Finally, the electromagnetic field produced by the moving electron
is given by (295) and (296), the first of these formulae taking the
simple form
<!^'=~^^-E^^A'{¥), {126)
77 NOTES. 323
if we put
(g, ) = qp _ a^
or
(^')=^[4(l + 4)]- il27)
Let us now return to tlie comparison of two systems g and ^^q, such
as we liave considered at the beginning of § 175, the one moving
and the other at rest, and in which the effective coordinates of the
separate electrons are the same functions of the effective time. It
has been shown in § 173 that for an electron moving in f-^ the compo-
nents of the vector u' are equal to the differential coefficients -jy ,
-X, -TTT. Therefore, the vector u' occurring in the formulae {121"),
(125), {126) and (296j which determine the field in g is equal
to the velocity of the electron in gg, from which we may con-
clude that the values of {ip'), a', d' and h' in g are equal to those
of tp, a, d, and h in §„; indeed, the formulae {127), {125), {126)
and (296) are exactly similar to (79), (33) and (34) for this
latter system. If we apply this to the case, considered in § 175,
that the electrons perform small vibrations in the particles of the
body, we see at once that the field belonging to such a particle in [^
must be determined by the equations (308), because we kaow that
a particle in J^,, gives rise to a field determined by (88), (89), (33)
and (34).
77 (Page 211). Let g be a moving electrostatic system and
j^Q the corresponding stationary one. We have a' = 0, h'=0, and,
if q)' is the scalar potential in gp, the equations (291) and (295) give
for every point of g
and consequently
H 72 ^^' ri — 7-72^ ri — — IP ^
' X ^ ' y c dz ' ' c dy
From this we find for the first component of the flow of energy in g
s.=<d,h.-d.h,)=/.^^^.((li;)^+g^;n,
21*
{128)
324 NOTES, 78—80
and (by (53) and (302)) for the first component of the electro-
magnetic momentum, with which alone we are concerned,
G.=q;^/((i)'+ m\ "« - -f.i'm^ WfV'-
We have therefore merely to calculate the last integral for the
field of a sphere without translation with radius i? and charge c.
This is a very simple problem. We may observe that the three
integrals
have equal values, so that they are each equal to one third of their
sum, i. e. to two thirds of the energy of the system. The latter
having the value ^ — ^ , we have for each of the integrals j^—^ , and
It is clear that G^ = and G^ = 0, so that in general
G=7r^^fc^w.
78 (Page 213). The equations {128) lead to the following value
of the electromagnetic energy
^'/l©r+*'(>+$)(e<) +©)!>«
-i^/[(g)'+''('+?)i(if)+(i?)'i>^' ('^»)
Putting I = 1 and remembering that each of the integrals
/ i-i^'A dS' etc. has the value— — ^, we find
J \dxj 127tB'
which becomes equal to (315) when the value of k is substituted.
79 (Page 214). Indeed, when the electron is at rest, the electric
force in its immediate neighbourhood is E= - -_, • As it is at right
angles to the surface, there is a normal stress equal to
80 (Page 215). When, by some disturbing cause, the radius of
the sphere is increased, the electric stress acting on its surface is
80 NOTES. 325
diminislied, as is seen from {131). As the internal stress is supposed
to remain constant, it will draw the points of the sphere towards
the inside, so that the original volume will be i-estored.
We shall next show that the equilibrium would be unstable
with respect to changes of shape. Consider a deformation by which
the sphere is changed to an elongated ellipsoid of revolution, the
magnitude of each element of surface remaining as it was, and each
element retaining its charge. Then it can be shown that in the in-
terior, at each point of the axis, there wiU be an electric force
directed towards the centre if the charge of the electron is negative.
Let this force be equal to <; at a point just inside the surface at
one extremity P of the axis. By a well known theorem the electric
force just outside the surface at the same extremity will be (i-\- a,
if we denote by — co the negative surface density of the ellipsoid,
which by our supposition is equal to the surface density of the ori-
ginal sphere. A surface element at P will be subjected to two nor-
mal electric stresses, -J-(g -f (of outward, and -^g^ inward; besides these
there is the constant internal stress which must be equal to \-(a^, be-
cause, in the original state, it counterbalanced the electric stress.
Since both q and co are positive, there is a resultant force qa
directed towards the outside and tending stiU further to elongate
the ellipsoid.
In order to prove what has been said about the internal electric
force, we may proceed as follows. Choose a point A on the semi-
axis OP, and consider a cone of infinitely small solid angle ds,
having this point for its vertex and prolonged through it. Let ds^
at the point B^, and d6^ at B^ be the elements of the ellipsoidal
surface determined by the intersection with the cone, ■Q-j and ^^ the
angles between the line P^ B^ and the tangent planes at the ex-
tremities, and let Pj be the point nearest A, so that the angle B^AP
is sharp. Then, since
the attractions exerted by the two elements on a unit of positive elec-
tricity at A win be equal to
cods ^ ads
and
It may be shown by geometrical considerations that
sin ■O'l > sin d-2 ,
from which it follows that, of the two attractions, the second is
greatest, so that there is a residual force in the direction AB^. A si-
milar result is found for any other direction of the cone; the total
resultant electric force must therefore be directed towards the centre.
326 NOTES. 81-83
81 (Page 220). The expressions {129) of Note 78 show that,
if I is different from 1, the value (130) found for the energy must be
multiplied by I. According to the hypothesis of Bucherer and
Langevin, l=h ^, which leads to the result mentioned in the text.
82 (Page 222). If in the equations (200), in which we may
now omit the terms depending on the resistance and on the external
magnetic field, we substitute P = D — E, they take the form of a
linear relation between the vectors D and E, containing their diffe-
rential coefficients with respect to the time.
83 (Page 224). Let the effective coordinates of P and Q be 0, 0,
and x',y',Z] then, by (286), the relative coordinates are 0, 0, and
-^,y',s'. Hence, if ^,ti,t^ are the values of t at the instants when
the signal is started from P, received by Q and again perceived at
P, we have by (284) for the absolute coordinates of the points
where the signal is found at these moments,
0,0,0; ~ + wt^,y',z'; wt^,0,0,
and since the distance from the first to the second is travelled over
in an interval t^, and that from the second to the third in an inte:--
val 4 - t^,
l + w{t,-t.;)\+ y' + /s = c\t, - Q\
By means of these equations t^ and t^ can be calculated. It is
simpler, however, to consider the quantities
h=^t,-^x (132)
and
V = |4- (133)
Indeed, the formulae may be transformed to
giving
t^ = ~ V^~+7^i^' (134)
and
2
h' = - Vx'' + y'' + /^ (135)
84, 85 NOTES. 327
But it appears from equation (288), for which we may now write
t' = ^t-^x', (186)
that the variable t^' defined by (133) is the time measured as local
time of P that has elapsed between the starting and the return of the
signal. On the other hand, Yx'^ -{- y'^ + /^ is the length L which
the observer A ascribes to the distance PQ, and —r- is the value of
h
the velocity of light which he deduces from the experiment. Equation
(135) shows that this value wiH be equal to c.
84 (Page 226). It is sufficient to observe that, as is seen from
(136) and (132), a clock showing the local time of Q will mark the
time ty at the moment when Q is reached by the signal, and that,
according to (134), this time i^' is precisely — ■
85 (Page 226). According to what has been said in § 189, the
mass m which the moving observer ascribes to a body will be the
mass which this body would actually have, if it were at rest. But,
the masses being changed by the translation in the manner indicated
by (305), the real mass will be Jc^m if the acceleration has the direction
of OX, and Ajw if it is at right angles to that axis. Using the in-
dices (o) and (r) to distinguish observed and real values, we may
therefore write
^(r) = ('«^ ^^'> ^)m(o),
where the factors enclosed in brackets refer to accelerations parallel
to OX, OY or OZ.
On the other hand it appears from the formulae (303) that for
the accelerations
so that, if the moving observer measures forces F by the products of
acceleration and mass, we shaU have
Now, let two particles with equal real charges e be placed at
the points of the moving system whose effective coordinates are x^,y^,sl,
x^', y^', S^ and whose effective distance r is therefore given by the
first equation of § 171. If these particles had the corresponding po-
sitions in a stationary system, the components of the force acting on
the second of them would be
iTtr'^ ' iTtr " ' iTcr
(138)
328 NOTES. 86
Hence, in virtue of (300), the components of the real force in
the moving system will be
(x^' — Xi)e^ 1 (y/ y,>^ 1 _ (g/ - 01 ')e'
and by {137') the components of the observed force wiU again have
the values {13^. The observer A will therefore conclude from his
experiments that the particles repel each other with a force
and he wiU ascribe to each of them a charge e equal to the real one.
Let us suppose, finally, that a charge e is placed in an electro-
magnetic field existing in the moving system, at a point which shares
the translation. Then, on account of (293), the components of the
force really acting on it are
and we may infer from {137) that the components of the observed
force have the values
ed;, ed;, ed;.
It appears from this that, as has been stated in the text, the
moving observer wiU. be led to the vector d' if he examines the force
acting on a charged particle.
86 (Page 230). Einstein uses the substitutions (287), (288)
and (291) (with I = 1), but he defines the vector u' and the quantity
Q by formulae slightly difi'erent from (289) and (290), namely by
u; = ^^^— , u; = — ^-^ — , u; = — ^ — {139)
1-^V"-^ i-^^V"- ^~*"^"-
and
Hence, if the quantities introduced by him and by myself are
distinguished by the indices E and L,
"^ ^ ; — ^~ ' p^ = (i - ^'' ^^' "^) 9^' '
1 - ^v "^
givmg
and
Qii\iE= qLuL
(i - f u;^) p,: = (i - k^ -J- u,) qL = pi.
It appears from this that the third of the equations (292) remains
as we found it, but that on the right hand side of the first we get
78 NOTES 329
simply q', so that after all the fundamental equations take exactly
the same form which they have for a stationary system.
It must be added that, according to Einstein's views, the quanti-
ties x', y, 3, t' play in all respects the part of the coordinates and the
time, that, in fact, they must be considered as the true coordinates
and the triut time in the moving system (if it is examined by an
observer who moves with it). Thus, the quantities ^, %, -f! deter-
' ' ^ at ' at ' dt
mined in Note 75 must actually be regarded as the components of
the velocity, and the vector u' whose components (139) are equal to
those quantities, as the velocity itself Again, events taking place at
different points of space are considered as "simultaneous", if they
occur at moments characterized by one and the same value of t'. The
quantity p' is now called "density of charge", and the amount of charge
existing "at a definite moment t'" in a space whose boundary is given
by an equation between x', y , z , is given by the integral
/^
Lastly, by means of the hypothesis that the action between
neighbouring particles is determined by their "simultaneous" positions,
i. e. by the positions corresponding to a definite value of t' , one gets
rid of some complications which we encountered in §§ 174 and 175.
87 (Page 230). Recent experiments by Bucherer^) on the electric
and magnetic deflexion of ^-rays, made after a method that permits
a greater accuracy than could be reached by Kaufmann (§ 179) have
confirmed the formula (313) for the transverse electromagnetic mass,
so that, in aU probability, the only objection that could be raised
against the hypothesis of the deformable electron and the principle
of relativity has now been removed. In the mean time, this principle
has already been the subject of several important theoretical investi-
gations. ^)
1) A. H. Bncherer, Messungen an Beoquerelstralilen. Die experimentelle
Bestatigung der Lorentz-Einstein'schen Theorie, Phys. Zeitschr. 9 (1908),
p. 755; Ber. d. deutschen Phys. Ges. 6 (1908), p. 688.
2) M. Planck, Zur Dynamik bewegter Systeme, Sitzungsber. Berlin 1907,
p. 542; Ann. Phys. 26 (1908), p. 1. H. Minkowski, Die Grundgleichungen fiir
die elektromagnetischen Vorgiinge in bewegten Korpem, G-ott. Nachr. Math.-
phys. Kl. 1908. p. 53.
INDEX.
(The numbers refer to pages.)
Aberration of light, theory of
Stokes 169—174; theory of Fresnel
174—180.
Abraham, M. 32, 36, 213, 214.
Absorption of light and heat 9
coefficient of — 68 ; index of — 153, 156
— bands 155, 156; intensity 155, 156
explained by impacts 141.
Alembert, J. d' 17.
Atom, model of 117; mass 46, 279;
atom of electricity 44, 46, 280.
Balmer, J. J. 103.
Becquerel, J. 311, 312.
Bestelmeyer, A. 44.
Black body 69.
Bockwinkel, H. B. A. 317.
Boltzmann, L., law of radiation
72—74, 90.
Boussinesq, J. 143.
Brace, D. B. 196, 209, 210, 219.
Bruhl, J. W. 150.
Bucherer, A. H. 219, 329.
Clausius, R. 145.
Combination of periodical phe-
nomena 128, 129.
Conductivity for electricity 7, 10,
63, 64; for heat 10, 64.
Corbino, 0. M. 164.
Cornu, A. 108.
Corresponding states in moving and
stationary system, for low velocity 189 ;
for higher velocity 205, 206.
Current, electric, 5, 7; displacement
— 5, 7, 9, 135; — of conduction 7, 8;
convection — 12, 13; induction — 15.
Damping of vibrations 259.
Dielectric displacement 5, 135.
Diesselhorst, H. 65.
Dimensions of bodies changed by a
translation 195, 201, 202, 205.
Dispersion of light 143, 144, 150,
151, 152 ; anomalous 156.
Dissymmetry of Zeeman - effect
162, 312.
Doppler's principle 60, 62, 176.
Drude, P. 10, 63-65.
Dufour, A. 312.
Effective charge in moving system
201.
Effective coordinates in moving
system 200.
Einstein, A. 223, 226, 229.
Electric force 2, 5, 7, 135; expressed
in terms of potentials, for a stationary
system 19; for a slowly moving system
59; for greater velocity 198.
Electromagnetic theory of matter
45, 46.
Electrons 8; in dielectrics 8, 9; in
metals 8, 10, 63—67; their charge
11, 16, 46; mass 38, 39, 44—46; size
46; heat motion 10, 63; deformed
by translation to flattened ellipsoids
210 — 212; deformed without change
of volume 220; stability of state 214,
215; model of electron 213, 214.
Electrostatic system at rest 20;
moving with small velocity 35, 36;
with greater velocity 199, 200.
Emission of light and heat 9.
Emissivity 69; ratio between . — and
absorption 69, 89, 90.
Energy, electric 23; magnetic 23; of
moving rigid electron 36; of moving
deformed electron 213, 220; of radia-
tion 71, 95, 96: intrinsic — of an elec-
tron 213; kinetic — of a molecule 279;
equation of — 22; flow of— 23, 25, 26.
Equations of the electromagnetic
field for the ether 5; the same, refer-
red to moving axes 222, 228; for
ponderable bodies 7; in the theory of
electrons, referred to fixed axes 12;
to slowly moving axes 58; to axes
moving with greater velocity 197;
for a system of molecules 135, 136, 139,
140; for a moving system 221 — 223;
— for electric and magnetic force 17;
— of propagation 18.
Equilibrium of radiation70— 72,92.
Equipartition of energy 90 — 92, 97.
Equivalent degrees of freedom 112.
Ether 230; pervades all matter 11,
174; its immobility 11, 30, 31, 174;
supposed motion 30, 31; considered
as having an irrotational motion 171,
173; as condensed around the earth 173.
Faraday, M. 1, 98.
Field of an electron at rest 20; of a
INDEX.
331
moving electron 21, 22, 36, 50, 51; of
a slowly moving electrostatic system
35, 36; of a system moving more
rapidly 199; of a vibrating electron
54; of a particle with variable electric
moment 55, 56; of a vibrating par-
ticle moving with small velocity 59,
60; with greater velocity 207.
Fitz Gerald, a. F. 195.
Fizeau, H. 190.
Force acting on electric charge 14, 15,
198; resultant force acting on a system
of electrons 26, 27, 33; electric forces
changed by a translation 199; similar
change of molecular forces 202.
Frequency, relative 176.
Fresnel, A. 174; his coefficient 176,
deduced in the supposition of conti-
nuously distributed charges 182 — 186 ;
from the theory of electrons 189, 190;
for a crystal 192. See: Aberration
of light.
Geest, J. 165, 166.
Gehrcke, E. 259.
Goldstein, E. 41.
Gradient of a scalar quantity 4.
Hagen, E. 80, 81.
Hallo, J. J. 164, 166.
Heaviside, 0. 2.
Helmholtz, H. 30, 136, 143.
Hertz, H. 2, 57.
Hull, G. F. 34.
Humphreys, W. J. 167.
Huygens's principle 168.
Image, reflected, of an electromagnetic
system 130.
Interference of light in a moving
system 181, 191; — experiment for
detecting an influence of the second
order of the earth's motion 192 — 196,
Ions 44. [201, 202.
Irrotational distribution of a
vector 4.
Jaeger, W. 65.
Jeans, J. H. 90; theory of radiation
93—97, 287.
Julius, V. A. 128.
Kaufmann, W. 42, 43, 212.
Kayser, H. 103.
Kelvin, Lord 137.
Kerr, J. 98.
Ketteler, B. 143. [tion 69.
Kirchhoff, G. 72, 233; law of radia-
Langevin, P. 86, 219.
Laplace, P. S. de 144.
Lebedew, P. 34.
Local time 57, 58, 187, 198, 226.
Lorentz, H. A. 2, 10, 80, 145, 318.
Lorenz, L. 145.
Lummer, 0. 75, 259.
Macaluso, D. 164.
Magnetic force 2, 5, 7; derived from
vector potential, for system at rest
19; for slowly moving system 59; for
greater velocity 198.
Magri, L. 146.
Mass, electromagnetic, of an electron
38, 39, 43 ; of deformable electron 212,
213; of electron flattened without
change of volume 220; of a system
of electrons 47, 48; ratio between
charge and — 41, 42, 44, 45, 102, 103,
212; — changed by translation 205.
Mathematical notation 3 — 5.
Maxwell, J. Clerk 1, 2, 27, 30, 67,
80, 90, 143, 266. [133, 134.
Mean values in a system of molecules
Metals; electric conductivity 63, 64;
conductivity for heat 64 ; ratio between
the conductivities 65—67; absorption
by a thin metal plate 81, 82; emission
by a plate 82—89.
Michelson, A. A. 190, 191, 192, 195.
Miller, D. C, 195.
Minkowski, H. 329.
Mogendorff, B. E. 107.
Mohler, J. F. 167. [203—205.
Molecular motion in moving systems
Molecules, number of, 167.
Momentum, electromagnetic, 32; of
moving electron 36; of deformable
electron 211.
Morley, E. W. 190—192, 195-
Mossotti, 0. F. 145.
Moving observer measuring lengths
and times 224 ; studying electromagne-
tic phenomena in moving system 226;
in stationary system 227, 228.
Moving system compared with a sta-
tionary one 36; for low velocities 189;
for greater velocities 199, 203—206,
208.
Nichols, B. F. 34.
Onnes, H. Kamerlingh 311.
Pannekoek, A, 292.
Paschen, F. 107, 108.
332
INDEX.
Planck, M. 173, 174, 329; theory of
radiation 78—80, 279, 287.
Poincare, H. 213, 214.
Polarization of light obserred in the
Zeeman- effect 101, 102, 131.
Polarized light 6, 24.
Potentials 19, 20, 58, 198.
Poynting, J. H. 23.
Pressure of radiation 28, 29, 33, 34.
Pringsheim, E. 75.
Products, scalar and vector, of two
vectors 3, 4.
Propagation of electric disturbances
6, 20 ; of light 9 ; along magnetic lines
of force 157, 158; at right angles to
the lines of force 159 — 162; in a
system moving with small velocity
183—190; in flowing water 190, 191;
in a system moving with greater
velocity 205 — 210.
Purvis, J. E. 108.
Radiation from an electron 50—52;
from a vibrating electron 52 — 54;
from a polarized particle 55, 56;
from an atom 120.
Ray of light 169; relative ray 169, 177;
relation between ray and wave-front
178; minimum property 179; course
of relative ray in a moving medium
178—180; in a moving crystal 192
canal rays 41; cathode rays 41
Rontgen rays 52, 152; a-rays 41
P-rays 41, 42, 212, 329.
Rayleigh, Lord 196, 209, 219.
Reflexion by a, moving mirror
60—62.
Refraction 9; index of refraction 143,
153, 156; related to density 144—147;
of a mixture 147 ; of a chemical com-
pound 147 — 150; refraction equivalent
148; double — in a magnetic field
165; double — that might be produ-
ced by the earth's motion 196, 219.
Reinganum, M. 66.
Relativity, principle of 229, 230.
Resistance to the motion of an elec-
tron 49; a cause of absorption 136,
Riecke, E. 10, 63. [137, 166.
Ritz, W. 107.
Robb, A. A. 114.
Rotation of a vector 4; rotation around
magnetic lines of force 123 ; of a par-
ticle in a magnetic field 124 — 126;
magnetic rotation of the plane of
polarization 163, 164.
Rowland, H. A. 13.
Rubens, H. 80, 81.
Runge, C. 103, 107, 108.
Rydberg, J. R. 103; formulae for series
of spectral lines 104—106, 128, 129.
Sellmeyer, W. 143.
Series of spectral lines 103—106.
Simon, S. 44.
Solenoidal distribution of a vector 4.
Statistical method 266.
Stefan, J. 72.
Stokes, G. Gr. 52, 169. See: Aber-
ration of light.
Stresses in the ether 27, 30, 31.
Terrestrial sources of light 176,
181, 209.
Thomson, J. J. 10, 11, 39, 44, 52, 63,
117, 120, 288.
Units 2, 3.
Velocity of light in ether 6; in a
system of molecules 142; measured
in a moving system 224, 225 ; velocity
of ray in a moving medium 177, 178.
Vibrations of electrons 9, 49; in a
magnetic field, of an electron 99, 100;
of a charged system 109 — 114; of an
isotropic system 114; of charged
spheres 115; of a system of four elec-
trons 120—123; of a rotating particle
126; electromagnetic vibrations in a
rectangular parallelepiped 93 — 95.
Voigt, W. 132, 162, 164, 165, 198, 311.
Waves, elementary 168, 169, 177; pro-
pagation of a wave-front 168, 169,
177; relation between wave and
ray 178.
Weber, W. 124.
Wiechert, B. 52, 165.
Wien, W. law of radiation 74 — 78.
Wood, R. W. 167, 312.
Zeeman, P. 98, 102, 103, 132, 162, 164.
Zeeman- effect, elementary theory
98 — 101; more complicated forms 103 ;
in series of spectral lines 107, 108 ;
in the radiation from a rotating
particle 126, 127; inverse effect 132,
158, 162; dissymmetry 162.
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